Midwives
A midwife will provide clinical care, support you and your choices through pregnancy, labour and birth, and after you have your baby.
During labour and birth they can:
- review your birth plan and make sure your wishes are respected
- give you advice about positions and relaxation techniques
- monitor your and your baby’s wellbeing
- monitor your baby’s heartbeat
- give you pain relief or arrange for a doctor to – only an anaethetist can give you an epidural
- get more medical help if you need it.
Midwives are health professionals, and either have a Bachelor of Midwifery, or are registered nurses, with further qualifications in midwifery. All midwives – both public and private, must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Learn more about what a midwife does on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.
Doulas
A doula is a non-medical support person who provides emotional & physical support to a woman before, during and after childbirth.
Doula’s may have done a doula training course, but they don’t have medical training or qualifications. They don’t replace the role of a midwife or doctor.
They can also give you information about your pregnancy, birth options and help you create a birth plan.
If something goes wrong during your birth, they aren’t trained and can’t give you or your baby the emergency medical care you may need.
A doula can support you during labour with:
- positions
- guided breathing
- relaxation techniques.
You don’t have to choose between having a doula, midwife, or doctor. They can all work together and support you in different ways.
Doulas usually charge a fee for their support.
Learn more about what a doula does on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.