Interviewing A Midwife

Before choosing a midwife, it is always wise to explore all the prenatal and birth care options in your area — including obstetricians/gynecologists and in some cases family doctors. Always interview more than one midwife where possible, and better yet speak to all the midwives who are available in your area. Now for the list of questions that can help you decide. 

Midwifery training questions 

• What midwifery credentials do you possess?

• Can I see your license?

• How many labors and births did you witness before being qualified? How many did you preside over?

• How many births have you attended since becoming a midwife?

• How long have you been practicing?

• Why did you become a midwife? 

Questions about experience 

• Has a baby ever died during a birth you attended? (If so, what happened?)

• Has a mom ever died during a birth you attended? (If so, what happened?)

• Where can I obtain reliable information about the track records of midwives like yourself?

• What complications of pregnancy would disqualify a mother from homebirth, in your opinion?

• Which complications on birth have you personally dealt with, and what was the outcome?

• (To make it more specific) Do you think it is possible to handle a shoulder dystocia, breech birth, twin delivery, placental abruption, or a cord prolapse at home? (In most cases, the answer should be an absolute no!)

• What situations require transfer to a hospital? How often do you transfer your patients to hospital? (You want to see a decent rate here. Complications do happen, after all.)

Questions about “birth philosophy” 

• How can your role in the birth process best be described?

• What do you do at a typical birth?

• What interventions (episiotomy, coached pushing, etc) do you typically engage in?

• Do you support the practice of water birth?

• Do you monitor a pregnant woman's GBS status?

• Who takes the lead during a birth; the mother or the midwife?

• Do you use medications? Herbs?

• How does homebirth differ from hospital birth?

Transfer and backup questions 

• Do you have privileges at any of the local hospitals (only for CNMs)?

• Have you transferred clients to a local hospital before? What is the procedure and what is your experience?

• Do you have a backup midwife? (In which case, great — also interview her!)

• Are you caring for other mothers with similar due dates?

• Do you always answer your cellphone?

• What happens if both you and the backup are unavailable? 

Insurance and payment questions 

• Do you take insurance? If so, which?

• What is the cost of prenatal care and birth services?

• Will I have access to ultrasound, blood tests, and other diagnostic tools through you?