Who Will Play the Roles At Your Labor

Often couples are confused by the roles the different players will have in their labors. I thought I would offer some descriptive words of who does what in the usual labor. Some roles may overlap and others will not. I am sure there are responsibilities I may miss. Some nurses and midwives, when able to, offer similar labor support as a doula. Some midwives are more like a doctor in the way they practice. Each provider of support offers their expertise and personality into your labor.One doctor may bring laughter and encouragement when another only arrives to catch the baby. Often times one nurse has two patients and may be watching another while a birth is occurring or a nurse is on break. Some midwives may be sleeping after being up all night or busy with several moms in labor. Feel free to add more in the comments section. What did your partner, nurse, doctor, midwife or doula do for you?

Partner:

• loves you
• attends childbirth classes with you
• practices pain coping skills learned in classes
• is your companion
• supports your choices
• drives you to your birth location 
• gets your snacks, juice or ice
• reminds you of the things you learned in class
• massages
• offers counter pressure
• dances with you
• walks with you
• encourages you
• helps set up your birth environment- music, etc, 
• offers kisses and hugs
• cries and laughs with you
• sits by you and holds your hand
• pours water on your belly
• reminds you of your birth goals
• holds you when need support
• stays with you throughout labor
• catches the baby
• cuts the cord 
• holds the newborn
• takes photos
• reminds you of the things you learned about breastfeeding

Nurse:

• may support your choices but reminds you of hospital protocol
• takes notes for medical records
• brings you the forms you must sign prior to procedures
• informs you of normal protocol for patients as they represent the hospital
• brings you a hospital gown
• places your IV if you desire
• changes your linens and bed pads
• monitors the baby via external or internal monitors
• accesses your health- temperature, blood pressure, etc
• does vaginal exams
• places catheters and shaves you if needed for surgery
• gets your  ice
• calls for anesthesia
• gets your medication if desired
• encourages you
• sets up the birth tub if desired and offered
• offers suggestions that may help- sometimes things you did not want - like medication
• instructs you on guided pushing
• holds your leg during pushing
• assist the doctor or midwife during birth
• catches the baby if the doctor or midwife does not arrive in time
• cleans up after the birth and gets your ice pack
• massages your fundus after the birth
• records the time of birth
• weighs and measures the baby
• washes the newborn
• does newborn procedures- shots, ointment, etc
• may help you with breastfeeding

Doctor:

• determines your health and well being during your pregnancy
• may determine if you need to come to the hospital
• assesses the baby's health in utero
• writes orders for medical procedures
• may do vaginal exams or may have nurse do most of them
• is either patient or actively managing your labor
• breaks your amniotic sac if desired
• comes in for short visits when needed
• determines if you need intervention
• answers your medical questions
• surgically delivers the baby if a cesarean is decided upon
• arrives to catch when birth is imminent
• does any repairs that are needed
• cuts the cord if needed
• delivers or catches the placenta

Midwife:

• works with you prenatally to prepare for your birth
• helps you uncover all of your options
• supports your choices
• determines your health and well being during your pregnancy
• may determine if you need to come to the hospital
• assesses the baby's health in utero
• writes orders for medical procedures
• is either patient or actively managing your labor
• breaks your amniotic sac if desired
• comes in for short visits when needed but may stay longer than a doctor if not busy
• determines if you need intervention
• may do vaginal exams or may have nurse do most of them
• massages if not busy with other patients
• answers your non medical and medical questions  
• offers ideas you may not have considered
• guides you and your partner when you need it
• reminds you of your birth goals
• holds you when need support
• encourages you
• offers hugs
• assists the doctor in surgery of the baby if a cesarean is decided upon
• arrives to catch when birth is imminent but often will be more present in the last leg of the labor
• does any repairs that are needed
• cuts the cord if needed
• delivers or catches the placenta
• helps you with breastfeeding

Doula:

• works with you prenatally to prepare for your birth
• helps you uncover all of your options
• cares about you personally
• is your companion
• supports your choices
• rides with you to your birth location 
• gets your snacks, juice or ice
• reminds you of the things you learned in class
• massages
• answers your non medical questions  
• helps you get answers to medical questions
• offers counter pressure
• dances with you
• offers ideas you may not have considered
• guides you or your partne when you need it
• walks with you
• encourages you
• helps set up your birth environment- music, etc, 
• offers hugs
• cries and laughs with you
• sits by you and holds your hand
• pours water on your belly
• reminds you of your birth goals
• holds you when need support
• supports your partner
• becomes your primary support if your partner needs a nap or meal
• stays with you throughout labor
• takes photos
• helps you with breastfeeding