Birth Matters, Inc. - Holistic Midwifery

The following are questions you may want to ask your prospective midwife during an interview in an effort to establish care with a midwife who is well suited for you and your family.

How and why did she become a midwife?

What is her general philosophy surrounding birth?

What type of training and experience has she had?

Is she certified or licensed with any professional organizations?

How many births has she attended at home?

How many births has she attended in a birth center? How many in a hospital?

How many births has she attended in the role of primary midwife?

What is the fee for her services? What does it include or not include?

How do you reach her? Does she have a pager allowing 24 hour access?

Does she offer water birth services?

What happens if there are two births at the same time?

Does she bring anyone with her to births? What will their role be?

When does she come and how long will she stay at a birth?

What is her experience with complications that might develop during labor?

How are these problems or complications handled?

What equipment does she bring to the birth?

What emergency equipment is available? Does she set it up at every birth?

Is she currently certified through the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)?

What is her transfer policy from home to hospital during labor or postpartum?

What hospital would she use?

Would she stay with you at the hospital?

What is her current transport rate? What is her current emergency transport rate?

Does she have an affiliation with a specific physician?

Is an office visit to an obstetrician recommended?

What kind of postpartum care does she offer?

Does she offer newborn care?

Choosing a care provider for your pregnancy and birth is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make! Here are some suggestions for finding a midwife in your area:

•   Look in the yellow pages under Midwife, pregnancy or childbirth. Most licensed midwives will advertise,     however the yellow pages may not be a complete list of the midwives in your area. If there are no listings, this     does not mean there are no midwives in your area, you’ll have to look further.

•   Contact childbirth educators, La Leche League or natural parenting groups

•   Natural baby care or breastfeeding stores in your area

•   Contact state organizations (listed in Resources)

•   Search the web (see Resources for some links)