Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies on women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Q: What's the difference between a nurse-midwife and a doula?

A: A midwife is a registered nurse who has taken special training (usually involving a Master's degree) in midwifery. She learns to provide care for a normal pregnancy, including birth and postpartum care for mother and infant, and to recognize abnormalities that require a consultation with a physician. A doula has no special training and provides only personal and psychological support during labor.