How to choose a midwife

Jill Cohen

What to ask
Midwives have varying levels of expertise and styles, therefore it is important to choose a midwife with whom you feel confident and compatible.

The following questions may help the pregnant woman to select a midwife who is well suited to her and her family:

1. How did she become a midwife?
2. What training has she had?
3. Is she certified or licensed with any organizations?
4. Does she belong to any midwifery organizations, attend conferences, workshops, subscribe to professional journals?
5. What is her basic philosophy of childbirth?
6. How many births has she attended as the primary midwife?
7. Does she handle higher risk situations, such as twins or breeches?
8. What is the fee for her services, how must it be paid, what does it include?
9. What kinds of services are included in prenatal care? (early detection of problem areas for the mother and baby; nutrition
10. information; exercise recommendations; in-home care; recommendations for parent education via books, videos, or
11. classes)
12. Does she work with another midwife or assistant at births?
13. What does she do if there are two births at the same time?
14. How do you reach the midwife; does she have a pager allowing 24 hour access?
15. How does she handle problems or complications that might develop during labor?
16. What standard and emergency equipment does she carry? What herbs or medicine does she use? Which ones does she not carry and why?
17. Does she have any affiliation with a physician who can answer unusual questions either during the pregnancy or in an emergency?
18. What is her policy for transporting to a hospital?
19. What medical facility would she use? Has she developed a good working rapport with them?
20. What kind of postpartum care does she provide? (frequency of baby check-ups; assistance with nursing)

In addition to asking these questions, it is important to be clear about what you expect from your potential midwife. Be prepared to share your vision of the birth and discuss any fears you may have. Tell her how knowledgeable you are about birth at present and how informed you would like to become. Determine if the midwife's answers to your questions agree with your desires. If your heart trusts her, you have found your midwife.