That's a good question and an important one actually.
People often confuse these two roles.
In French, we also use the word “accompagnante”. That person has no clinical responsibility. She helps the mother, the family and the spouse, and plays a supportive role during childbirth. She can also provide breastfeeding support, while the midwife, who has four years of university training, is a true health care professional responsible for monitoring a pregnant woman during her pregnancy, labour and up to six weeks after delivery.
Does that answer your question, Mr. Young?