The Midwife
Clinical Provider
Midwives are trained health professionals who provide clinical care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Depending on their credentials and scope, they assess health, monitor parent and baby, attend births, and coordinate additional medical care when needed.
Midwives & Doulas: Different Roles, Shared Support
Midwives provide clinical care. Doulas provide continuous, nonclinical support. Many families choose both.
In California, Certified Nurse-Midwives and Licensed Midwives follow different educational and licensing paths.
The Doula
Support Specialist
Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Their role is nonclinical: they offer comfort, education, and advocacy but do not diagnose, prescribe, or perform medical procedures.
Informed Consent:
More Than a Signature
You deserve clear information about the purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives of any recommended test, medication, or procedure, including what may happen if you wait or decline. Informed consent is an ongoing conversation that supports voluntary, informed decisions.