Doula or Midwife - The differences. If you’re expecting a baby in London or Croydon , you’ll probably come across a flood of new words while planning your birth. Some of the most confusing? Birthkeeper , doula , and midwife . They’re often used interchangeably, but each describes a different type of support . Understanding what each role does — and what they don’t do — can help you create a birth team that fits your needs and values. At Loucina Birthkeeping , we meet many families who know they want something more personal than the standard maternity system but aren’t sure what kind of help to look for. This guide explains the differences clearly so you can make an informed choice. Why It Matters to Know the Difference Your birth experience can be deeply shaped by who is supporting you . Choosing the right kind of professional isn’t just a nice extra — it can affect: How informed and empowered you feel during pregnancy and labour. The amount of time and attention you receive. Whether your birth plan is respected or quietly overridden. How well you cope if things change or become complicated. Your emotional recovery after birth. Many parents only discover after their first birth that the NHS midwives they saw antenatally might not be the same people present at labour, and that hospital staff may be too stretched to offer personalised attention. Learning the difference between a midwife , doula , and birthkeeper can help you plan ahead and avoid disappointment. What Is a Midwife? A midwife is a clinically trained healthcare professional . In the UK, midwives: Provide routine pregnancy checks — measuring bump growth, checking your blood pressure, running tests. Monitor your baby’s wellbeing. Manage labour and delivery within their scope of practice. Recognise complications and call an obstetrician if needed. Document your care and ensure it meets NHS or private medical guidelines. Midwives are essential for clinical safety . Most parents in London will be assigned an NHS midwife team. Some hire private midwives for more continuity, but even private midwives are primarily focused on the medical aspects of birth . Their time can still be limited by workload or policies. What Is a Doula? A doula is not a medical professional . Instead, they’re trained to give emotional, informational and practical support during pregnancy, birth and the early weeks after your baby arrives. A doula may: Talk you through your birth options and help you write a plan. Offer comfort techniques (breathing, massage, positioning). Stay with you continuously during labour (if allowed by the hospital or birth centre). Support you postnatally with feeding, sleep setup, and emotional recovery. Provide companionship and reassurance when appointments feel rushed. Doulas do not perform medical checks or replace midwives. They’re about care and presence , helping you feel calm and confident. What Is a Birthkeeper? The term birthkeeper is newer in the UK but growing fast, especially among parents looking for more autonomy and personalised care . At its heart, a birthkeeper is a non-clinical maternity professional , similar to a doula but with a stronger focus on advocacy and truly holistic preparation . A birthkeeper will: Spend longer, unhurried time with you during pregnancy — often 90-minute visits instead of rushed appointments. Provide evidence-based information about your rights and options within the maternity system. Help you navigate NHS policies, especially if you want a birth plan outside the “standard” model. Offer continuous emotional and practical support before, during and after birth. Stand beside you if plans change — calmly explaining choices, ensuring you understand consent, and helping you stay in control. At Loucina Birthkeeping , we see our role as walking beside families with compassion, clarity and evidence — so you can reclaim autonomy and feel truly supported from pregnancy through postpartum. How These Roles Work Together Many parents assume they must choose one — but these roles can complement each other beautifully: You’ll always need a midwife for clinical care. You might add a birthkeeper for personalised preparation, advocacy, and emotional support. Some parents use a doula if they mainly want comfort and practical help but aren’t concerned about policy navigation. If you want help after the baby arrives, both doulas and birthkeepers may offer postnatal packages . Think of the midwife as your medical safety net, the birthkeeper as your holistic guide and advocate, and the doula as your comforting companion. Common Misunderstandings Cleared Up “If I have a birthkeeper, I don’t need a midwife.” Not true. Birthkeepers are non-clinical . You still need a midwife or doctor for health checks, monitoring, and legal safety requirements. “Doulas and birthkeepers are the same thing.” They overlap, but birthkeepers usually spend more time on advocacy and informed choice , while some doulas stay more neutral or focus on comfort. “Hiring a birthkeeper means I can’t give birth in hospital.” Completely false. Many of our London clients plan hospital births — they just want someone by their side who knows them and can help them feel heard. “It’s only for home birth.” No. We support home births, birth centre births, inductions, planned caesareans, VBACs (vaginal birth after caesarean) — any path you choose. Choosing the Right Support for You 1. Start With Your Birth Vision Do you imagine a calm, natural birth at home? Or do you know you’ll give birth in hospital but want it to feel personal? Your vision influences whether you need strong advocacy, comfort measures, or mainly medical monitoring. 2. Consider How Much Advocacy You Need If you’re worried about hospital policies or have felt dismissed in past appointments, a birthkeeper may be invaluable. If you mainly want reassurance and comfort, a doula may be enough. 3. Think About Postnatal Life Many families underestimate the first few weeks. If you want hands-on help with baby care, recovery, and emotional wellbeing, look for postnatal doula support or a birthkeeper who offers postnatal packages . 4. Budget and Flexibility NHS midwives are free. Birthkeeping and doula services are private but vary in price. At Loucina, packages start at £2,395 with virtual support from £1,200 — and you can customise with extra postnatal hours or bespoke care. Why Many London Parents Choose a Birthkeeper Time: Appointments that last long enough for real questions. Continuity: The same person from pregnancy through birth and postpartum. Advocacy: Guidance navigating NHS policies and unexpected changes. Calm confidence: Holistic preparation for body and mind. Support beyond birth: Emotional check-ins, feeding help, practical recovery tips. “After feeling unheard with my first baby, I wanted someone on my side. Loucina helped me prepare, explained every option, and was calm and steady through a hospital induction. I felt powerful and informed this time.” — Emma, Croydon Our Services at Loucina Birthkeeping We support families across London, Croydon, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and within about two hours of South London . We also offer virtual support UK-wide . Maternity Care Packages — Essentials, Premium, Ultimate. Bespoke & Virtual Packages — customisable if you want unique support or live far away. Specialised Consultations — high-risk pregnancy, birth trauma healing, birth plan review. Postnatal Doula Care — daytime or overnight help for a smoother fourth trimester. Free Resources — downloadable birth plan templates , checklists, and planning letters. Taking the Next Step 💛 Want support that goes beyond standard maternity care — without giving up safety or evidence? Explore our maternity care packages . Book a free discovery call to chat about your needs. Download our free birth plan template to start planning today. We’re here to help you feel informed, confident, and truly supported — whether you’re planning a hospital, birth centre, or home birth in London, Croydon and beyond .