What’s the difference between a midwife and a doula?

Think doula as waist up, midwife as waist down. Midwives are medical professionals. Typically, a person has either an OBGYN or a midwife overseeing the birth. Doulas are there to tend to every non-medical emotional and physical need you may have during birth.

I want an epidural in a hospital with doctors. Is a doula right for me?

Heck yes! The beautiful thing about Breathe, Bitch Doula is that we meet you where you are. Together we determine what environment makes you feel safe, then we go to work to make it happen. Our doulas bring tons of experience that is helpful in any setting, like optimal positioning, comfort measures, and breathing techniques.

I want to give birth in a rainforest alone—just you and me. You in?

Hell no! As mentioned…literally everywhere on this site…doulas are not medical professionals, nor do we play them on TV. It’s vitally important that doulas know the scope of their practice, and integrate themselves seamlessly into your birth team of medical professionals.

I want a doula, but I’m worried that my partner will feel sidelined.

Totally fair concern, but we are pros at working with everyone on your birth team. Part of our job is to empower birth partners to help as little or as much as you desire. Many partners feel relieved that they are armed with actual techniques to help, instead of aimlessly wandering to the ice chip machine and back. Alternatively, if you need someone sidelined (like a hovering mother-in-law), we can discreetly get them out of the way as well.