When preparing for childbirth, many expectant parents consider the support they will need during this transformative experience. Two key roles that often come up are doulas and midwives. While both provide essential support, their roles and responsibilities differ significantly. Shawnee Health offers comprehensive doula services to ensure every birthing experience is positive and empowering.
What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained birth worker who provides non-medical labor and delivery support to a birthing person before, during, and after childbirth. At Shawnee Health, our doulas are dedicated to making every birthing experience positive and empowering. Here’s how our doulas can help you:
Emotional Support:
- Provide constant encouragement and reassurance.
- Help manage anxiety and fear with calming techniques and coping strategies.
Physical Support:
- Assist with comfort measures like breathing techniques and labor positions.
- Offer non-medical pain relief methods like massage and water therapy.
Informational Support:
- Answer questions and provide information about the birthing process.
- Help you understand medical procedures and options.
Advocacy:
- Ensure your birth preferences are communicated to the medical team.
- Support you in making informed decisions throughout your birthing journey.
¿Qué es una partera?
A midwife is a healthcare professional who provides medical labor and delivery support to a birthing person during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Unlike doulas, midwives have medical training and can perform clinical tasks such as:
- Conducting comprehensive assessments and physical examinations.
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.
- Prescribing medications, including controlled substances and contraception.
- Managing labor and delivering babies.
- Providing family planning, health promotion, and disease prevention services.
Key Differences Between Doulas and Midwives
Medical Training:
- Midwives are medically trained professionals who can perform clinical tasks and manage medical aspects of childbirth.
- Doulas provide non-medical support, focusing on emotional, physical, and informational assistance.
Scope of Practice:
- Midwives can prescribe medications, conduct medical procedures, and deliver babies.
- Doulas offer comfort measures, emotional support, and advocacy but do not perform medical tasks.
Role During Childbirth:
- Midwives oversee the clinical aspects of labor and delivery, ensuring the health and safety of both mother and baby.
- Doulas support the mother through non-medical means, helping to create a positive and empowering birthing experience.
Can You Have Both?
Absolutely! Many families choose to have both a doula and a midwife. The midwife handles the medical aspects of childbirth, while the doula provides continuous emotional and physical support. This combination can offer a well-rounded and supportive birthing experience
by Tarina Yates, Community Based Doula Family Support Specialist
Email tyates@shsdc.org for more information on Shawnee Health’s Doula Services
Shawnee Health’s Medicina Familiar Provider, Dr. Jeffery Ripperda, recently was invited onto WXAN Radio to speak with Radio Will. Tune in to hear his expertise on things like Colorectal Cancer, the new drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, and recent Air Quality Indexes being impacted by the Canadian Wildfires.
Each year, the Health Resources and Services Administration awards Community Health Centers across the country with Community Health Quality Recognitions (CHQR). These CHQRs are given to federally qualified health centers who have achieved exceptional growth in areas of access, quality, and services.
The US Department of Health and Human Services recently recognized Shawnee Health as a “Health Center Quality Leader” for being among the top 20% percent of health centers in the nation. Along with the Quality leader recognition, Shawnee Health received an additional five recognitions including:
National Quality LeaderAchieved top 20% overall clinical quality measure (CQM) performance among all health centers in the US. |
Access EnhancerIncreased number of new patients by at least five percent from the previous year. |
Health Disparities ReducerImproved services for racial/ethnic groups within the southern Illinois region. |
Advancing HIT for QualityExpanded access to health information technology and improved telehealth services to allow for quick communication between providers and patients. |
COVID-19 Public Health ChampionShawnee Health placed in the top 10% of health centers that provided COVID-19 vaccinations or testing. |
Patient Centered Medical HomeEl patient-centered medical home is a model that puts patients at the forefront of care. Shawnee Health implemented the PCMH model to improve quality and patient experience. |
Shawnee Health was one of only four FQHCs in the state to receive six CHQRs. They would like to thank HRSA for recognizing them in these categories, and they are honored to be recipients of these awards!
They would like to extend a special thanks to their staff for bringing the best quality of care to the southern Illinois community.
