Who is best to help with childbirth? (Doctor, Midwife, Doula) Let's talk about this!

How exciting is it to hear that a new little guest is coming into your life? This is a very beautiful time. But at the same time, small questions and little curiosity come to mind. The biggest question that comes to mind for many mothers is, "Who will help me bring my baby into this world safely? Whose support should I get?" While some have a clear idea about this, for many this is a bit of a headache. So today, let's talk about three main characters who can help you on this beautiful journey. They are the doctor , the midwife, and the doula.

Let's first learn about the Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

As we all know, many pregnant mothers in Sri Lanka choose to see an Obstetrician and Gynecologist throughout their pregnancy and during childbirth. We commonly call them a "VOG Doctor." This is a specialist doctor who has a medical degree and has undergone years of specialized training in women's health, pregnancy, and childbirth.

If you are being treated by a VOG doctor, he or she will be the one who will provide you with complete medical supervision from the beginning to the end of your pregnancy. Simply put, they are the ones who are medically responsible for your safety and that of your baby.

Here are some of the main tasks of a VOG doctor :

• Regular checkups: You will be seen on a regular schedule and your blood pressure, baby's heart rate, and baby's growth will be checked regularly.
• Managing pregnancy discomforts: Provides advice and treatment for common discomforts such as morning sickness.
• Prescribing medications: If you need medications for a medical condition, they will prescribe them. They will also review the medications you are already taking and determine if they are appropriate for pregnancy .
• Testing: Blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasound scans are done to make sure you and your baby are healthy. Some of these tests can also detect any genetic diseases or birth defects in your baby.
• Delivery: Ultimately, your baby will be delivered safely in a hospital. If there are any complications or if an emergency C-section is required, only a VOG doctor can make and implement that decision.

So who is this midwife?

When we hear the word "midwife," many people in our country think of the "midwife lady" or family health service officer who visits our homes, visits clinics at the MOH, and checks on us. In fact, that service is a great strength for maternal and child health in our country.

But the 'midwife' we're talking about here is a bit different, someone who has received special training in childbirth. In some countries, midwives are the primary caregivers during pregnancy and childbirth. They provide physical, emotional, and social support to the pregnant mother and family. Their approach is often more natural .

The role of a midwife is as follows:

• You and your family will be provided with physical and psychological care throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
• We will personally provide you with the advice and education you need.
• They will be by your side during childbirth, supporting you and giving you strength.
• We help to deliver the baby more naturally, minimizing the use of technical interventions and medications as much as possible.
• Most importantly: If there are any signs of a medical complication for you or your baby, they will immediately refer you to a specialist (OB/GYN).

In Sri Lanka, midwives work as a team with doctors in hospitals. However, unlike in some foreign countries, midwifery services that assist with childbirth at home or in separate birth centers are not yet very common in our country.

Who is a 'Doula'? This name may be a bit new.

You may be surprised to hear the word 'doula'. This is a somewhat new concept to our culture. 'Doula' comes from a Greek word meaning "woman who serves." Simply put, a doula is a non-medical, trained companion.

She is neither a doctor nor a midwife. She does not deliver the baby. Her only job is to provide you with continuous physical and emotional support during labor. Like your best friend, like a mother, she is there to give you the strength, courage, and comfort you need.

What does a doula do?

• Helps maintain good communication between you and your medical team.
• It helps you find comfortable positions and practice proper breathing techniques during labor.
• We use methods that can make you comfortable (e.g. massage, calming).
• Help your husband or family members get involved in this process as well.

Research has even found that mothers who receive support from a doula need less pain medication and have better birth outcomes for both mother and baby. She acts as a dedicated companion to you, in addition to your doctor or midwife.

So, who is right for you? How do you choose?

After reading this information, you may be thinking, "Okay, now who should I choose?" This decision is entirely your own. It will be influenced by many things, such as your health status, how you view childbirth, and the support you need.

• If you have a medical condition (high-risk pregnancy) or you want to be more confident about your medical safety, an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) is the best and safest choice. This is the most practical option given the current system in Sri Lanka.
• If you want a very natural, drug-free birth and your pregnancy is completely healthy, you may want to consider the support of a midwife . However, it is essential to have a plan in place to get medical help in case of an emergency.
• No matter who you give birth to, if you need extra mental and physical support, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a doula . She will be a source of strength in addition to your medical team.

Don't make this decision alone. Talk to your husband or family about it. Share your thoughts and hopes with them. Also, talk openly about this with your doctor, who you are already seeing. He or she will be able to help you choose the path that is most suitable for you based on your health condition.