Do I Need a Doula and a Midwife?
Your Support Team at a Glance
Doulas offer continuous emotional and physical support; midwives provide medical care and deliver babies. Many families in Morgantown, Bridgeport, and Cheat Lake choose both for a calm, safe, and well-supported birth.
Doula vs. Midwife — What’s the Difference?
Doula
- Emotional, physical, and informational support
- Comfort measures: positions, breath work, counter-pressure
- Advocacy coaching and continuous presence in labor
- No medical tasks; complements your clinical team
Midwife
- Licensed healthcare provider; delivers babies
- Monitors parent & baby; orders tests; prescribes when appropriate
- Manages clinical care and safety
- Presence varies by labor stage & setting
When You Might Choose One—or Both
Doula only
You already have an OB or midwife but want steady comfort measures, advocacy coaching, and emotional support.
Midwife only
You prefer a smaller team focused on clinical care for home, birth center, or hospital birth.
Both together
You want continuous, personalized support plus medical expertise for a calm, well-coordinated experience.
What Families Say
“Our midwife focused on safety; our doula focused on us. Having both was the perfect balance.”
“The continuity from our doula, alongside excellent midwifery care, made labor feel grounded and supported.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a doula deliver my baby?
No. A doula does not provide medical care. They support comfort, communication, and confidence while your midwife/OB manages clinical care.
Should I hire both for a hospital birth?
Many families do. Your doula offers continuous presence; your midwife/OB handles medical milestones. Together, you get calm + safety.
Do midwives stay the entire time?
It depends on labor stage and setting. Doulas typically remain continuously; midwives/OBs time their presence based on clinical needs.
Build the Birth Team That Fits You
Serving Morgantown, Bridgeport, Cheat Lake, and surrounding areas. Let’s talk through your options and create a plan that feels right.
Book Your Free Consultation