Know your body
Women's Health
Soft, honest, evidence-based info on what's happening, plus space to track and reflect.
A gentle reminder: This is educational information shared with love, not medical advice. Always talk with your trusted healthcare provider about what's right for your body.
Building your birth team
Choosing who walks beside you through pregnancy and birth is one of the most personal decisions you'll make. A good team blends medical expertise, hands-on care, and emotional support. Here's how the three main roles, Doula, Midwife, and OBGYN, compare and complement each other.
Quick comparison
| Role | Medical? | What they do | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doula | No (non-clinical) | Emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth | Continuous support, advocacy, comfort | $800–$2,500 (rarely insured) |
| Midwife | Yes (clinical) | Full prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for low-risk pregnancies | Low-intervention birth, home/birth center, holistic care | Often covered by insurance |
| OBGYN | Yes (physician) | Medical care, high-risk pregnancies, surgeries, complications | High-risk, hospital birth, surgical needs | Typically covered by insurance |
Doula, your continuous companion
A doula is a trained, non-medical support person. They don't deliver babies or perform exams, they hold space, advocate, and provide comfort.
- What they do: Prenatal visits to prepare you mentally and physically; continuous labor support (massage, position changes, breathwork); help you understand your options; postpartum visits for feeding, recovery, and emotional check-ins.
- When you need one: Anytime you want consistent, personal support, especially if you want an advocate, are birthing alone, or want extra help navigating the system.
- How to find one: DONA International, CAPPA, or local doula collectives. Many BIPOC- and LGBTQ+-affirming doula networks exist. Interview 2–3 to find the right fit.
Midwife, holistic medical care
A midwife is a trained healthcare provider (Certified Nurse Midwife/CNM, Certified Professional Midwife/CPM, or Certified Midwife/CM depending on country and state). They manage low-risk pregnancies from start to finish.
- What they do: Prenatal exams, lab work, ultrasounds (or referrals), birth attendance at home/birth center/hospital, postpartum care, newborn checks, and well-person gynecology in many practices.
- When you need one: Low-risk pregnancy, you want a low-intervention approach, longer appointment times, and a relational care model.
- How to find one: American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) directory, your insurance directory, or midwifery practices in hospitals and birth centers.
OBGYN, surgeon-physician
An OBGYN is a physician (MD or DO) with surgical training in obstetrics and gynecology. They manage the full range from routine to complex.
- What they do: Prenatal care, ultrasounds, lab work, hospital births, manage complications, perform C-sections and other surgeries, treat gynecologic conditions.
- When you need one: High-risk pregnancy (preeclampsia, diabetes, multiples, age, prior loss), planned hospital birth, surgical history, or any complication that arises.
- How to find one: Insurance directory, hospital affiliations, referrals from your primary care provider. Look for someone aligned with your birth values.
How they work together
These roles aren't either/or, many families build a team. A common combination is an OBGYN or midwife for medical care plus a doula for continuous support. Some hospitals have midwifery and OB practices that share care. Whatever you build, choose providers who listen to you, respect your choices, and explain things clearly.
Questions to ask any provider
- What's your approach to interventions like induction or epidurals?
- What's your C-section rate (for OB/midwife)?
- Who covers when you're unavailable?
- How do you support birth preferences and informed consent?
- How do you handle disagreements about a care decision?
Building my team
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