Doula and midwife

Doulas

work in two main areas: birth and postpartum. A birth doula supports couples antenatally and with non-medical techniques during labour, such as breathing, massage and helping you move into different positions. They can also provide emotional support. Postpartum doulas help a new mother as she recovers from the birthing process by caring for the infant and guiding a mother through the breast-feeding process. Some doulas are trained to teach hypnobirthing.

A midwife

is a trained medical professional who plays a key role during the birthing process. Certified nurse-midwives can perform gynaecological exams, provide prenatal care, administer pain medications, give labour-inducing drugs, monitor the foetus using electronic equipment, give an epidural and perform an episiotomy and stitch tears.