Information
What’s a doula, anyway?
A doula is a person trained to support a woman through her pregnancy and birth.
A birth doula supports a laboring woman, physically and emotionally: a little bit of labor coach, a little bit of grandmother, and a little bit of friend, plus comprehensive training in the physiology of labor and birth.
Doulas provide comfort, make suggestions for changing positions, and help keep mom and her partner fed and focused. A doula affords you perspective on what’s normal, and reassurance that you can give birth.
Doulas make a world of difference in the world of birth!
What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife is medically responsible for the health and safety of the mother and baby, similar in role to that of an obstetrician. Midwives provide prenatal, birth and post-partum (after-birth) care for normal and low-risk women, whether it’s at home, in a birth center, or in the hospital. In many countries, most women receive their maternity care from a midwife, and only women at high risk of having problems see an obstetrician.
Doulas, on the other hand, help with emotional and physical support, but are not part of the clinical picture. Doulas usually work independently, not for a hospital or birth center, and are hired by the parents to be of help during the birth.
What’s a naturopathic doctor?
A licensed naturopathic doctor is someone who has been rigorously trained in both conventional diagnostics and treatment and in natural ways to approach health and disease, in order to deliver safe, effective, natural medicine. Naturopathic medical schools are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and grant professional degrees -- the N.D., Naturopathic Doctor.
Naturopathic medical schools are structured much like conventional medical schools. The first two years are dedicated to the basic sciences: anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry. Students then sit for the first round of board exams (the Basic Science Exams, similar to USMLE Step 1), administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. In addition to conventional diagnostics and treatments, students also study naturopathic philosophy and clinical botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, naturopathic manipulation (similar to osteopathic adjustment), nutrition and counseling.
Clinical training is accomplished in outpatient clinics run by the medical school, as well as in preceptorships in the community. Students usually begin seeing patients, under the supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor, in their third year. Over the next two years, they take on more responsibility for patients, until they are responsible for all facets of evaluation and treatment of the patient. Before graduating, students are required to take an exam evaluating clinical competency (Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)), and after graduating, they sit for the second round of board exams, the Clinical Science Exams. Only after passing the comprehensive Clinical Science Exams can a graduate apply for a license to practice naturopathic medicine independently.
What’s a naturopathic midwife?
In addition to everything listed above, some students -- like me -- choose to take on an additional course of learning in naturopathic maternity care. This intensive study of the childbearing year includes preconception and fertility care, normal maternity, complications in labor and delivery, care of the newborn, and lactation. Maternity care students do extensive apprenticeship with doctors and midwives in the community and must attend 50-100 births, depending on the state, first as an assistant and finally managing the births, under the supervision of the licensed midwife.
Naturopathic midwives/maternity care doctors are a little different from most midwives, because we are physicians as well, and can continue caring for the child and family after birth.
Naturopathic maternity care doctors are also excellent fertility resources, and can help you get pregnant through comprehensive fertility protocols.
Naturopathic maternity care doctors provide comprehensive primary care for the whole family!
