Doula or Midwife?

Lately I have been thinking about the differences of being a Midwife compared to a Doula and how they overlap. I have made a video where I talk about this on my YouTube channel as well. Not everyone knows what the differences are.

A while ago I was told by a Midwife coworker “You can’t call yourself a Doula when you are a Midwife, they are two different things.” And to some extent I agree. But I’m also a person that thinks several things can be true at the same time. I don’t think everything is binary, this or that, a lot of how the world works is in the overlap of things. And for me some of my strength as a Midwife comes from being a Doula first. And some of my strength in being a Doula come from being a Midwife.

When I wear one “hat” I don’t completely disregard the other. I think it makes my p.o.v. unique, well rounded and powerful. These titles are not the only things that add to my knowledge base when I support people through pregnancy, birth and beyond. I am also a woman which makes me relate to a lot of people that are pregnant/giving birth, as well have the same biological body. I am also a mother, which helps me relate to how it feels to be pregnant, give birth, breastfeed, etc. I am also Black, which helps me relate to minority people better. I am also a lot more things… All these building blocks that make me add to my strength of being a Midwife and a Doula. Not a Midwife or a Doula.

I think I know clearly who I want to be when it comes to supporting people through pregnancy and birth. I want to be calm, present and create a safe space, I want to be open, adaptable and observant. Regardless of which “hat” I wear, the goal is still the same: to Support, Empower and Educate.