As you are getting ready to have your baby, it can be a little confusing to learn the various titles that may be present. There are various people coming in and out while you are giving birth if you choose a hospital setting, and that can feel a bit overwhelming. Our clients giving birth at a birth center may not experience this, but it is still recommend to know just in case!
Our goal as birth doulas is for you to understand who is present, and make a decision if that works for you.
Midwife: A trained professional able to assist with normal and variations of normal during pregnancy and the birth process. In North Carolina, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are the only midwives that may attend births. They are advanced practice nurses trained in midwifery. Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) is another route to become a midwife with less training, but not able to legally practice in the state of North Carolina.
Obstetrician (OB/GYN): a medical doctor trained in surgery, specifically obstetrics (focused on childbirth and women during pregnancy and childbirth)
Anesthesiologist: A medical doctor specializing in the care of someone before, during, and after surgery. This person is responsible for administering medicine and managing pain through injected pain relief.
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): An advance practice nurse that specializes in anesthesia during surgery and pain management before and after surgery.
Neonatologist: A medical doctor specializing in the care of newborns. Usually based in a hospital to provide care for infants.
Pediatrician: A medical doctor specializing in the care of children, aged birth to age 21.
Birth Doula: A trained professional who provides nonjudgmental emotional, educational, and physical support to pregnant individuals and their families.
Advocate: Someone that is able to speak on behalf of the patient about his or hers concerns, wishes, and desires.
Labor doula: A non-medical trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to birthing individuals and their families during pregnancy, as well as provides his or her physical presence during the birth
Postpartum doula: A non-medical trained professional who provides unbiased support for the family after the birth.
Registered Nurse (RN): Someone who has attended 2 or 4 years of college to obtain a nursing license, able to provide care to patients.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): Someone who taken board certifying tests and specializes in clinical management of breastfeeding.
Nurse Tech/Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Someone who has attending a training for basic nursing skills. Takes care of basic tasks to assist RNs and MDs.
We hope this helped you learn who may be present during your labor and delivery.
Contact us today to learn more about how our birth doulas can assist you feel confident in everyone who is present.
