Midwifery
Midwifery is a health care profession in that specializes in offering care to women during pregnancy, the labor process and birth, as well as during the post-partum period. They also care for the newborn child and may assist the mother with breastfeeding.
A practitioner of midwifery is known as a midwife, and is reference to both women and men, however the majority of midwifery professionals are women.
A midwife has the appropriate insurance and training to operate within the public hospital system. In many instances a midwife is also a registered nurse with formal medical training.
Doula
A White Owl Birthing doula is a trained DONA International professional who provides non-medical support (physical and emotional) to a woman leading up to and during her labor and delivery, an aspect of care that is not practiced in midwifery.
To learn more about our Professional Doula Service Click here
Within Australia, a doula cannot practice midwifery as this is considered practising midwifery without a licence. Doulas may not provide clinical care such as listening to the baby’s heart rate or checking the blood pressure. They may not give clinical advice nor provide opinion on the advice of professional care providers.
Midwifery & Doula’s At Your Birth
Midwifery is an important professional in your birthing experience and will manage your labor including associated medical support in conjunction with other professionals. A Doula attends the birth to provide support to the mother and her partner prior too and during the labor process. A doula’s role is to ensure maximum comfort, education, support and ensure the partner is involved in supporting the birthing mother.
Modern research has shown that a Doula involved in your birthing experience can reduce anxiety levels, caesarean rates decrease by 50 percent, length of labor by 25 percent, the use of oxytocins by 40 percent, epidurals requests by 60 percent, forceps delivery by 40 percent.
Doula’s at your birth will enhance your experience and comfort, while the midwifery professional will manage your labor and provide medical support within their skills.
Telephone: 03 9723 6747
Mobile: 0408 390 113
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