Want to find the right midwife for your natural childbirth? Use this list of midwife interview questions! Ask the right questions, get the right support.
If you have a low-risk pregnancy and want to have a natural childbirth, working with a midwife may be a great way to go (though some chose unassisted birth). While there are some naturally-minded obstetrician gynecologists out there, studies show that you’ll have fewer medical interventions, with no negative health implications on baby/mom, when you choose midwifery care.
In fact, moms who give birth with midwives are more likely to successfully breastfeed and less likely to experience perineal lacerations (ouch!) when compared with others. Additionally, according to the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, “the evidence now shows midwife-led units to be safer than hospital for women having a straightforward (low risk) pregnancy.”
Before We Start — A Special Gift for You
Here’s an exclusive printable midwife interview questions one-pager we made just for readers of this post! Click here to get it!
How to Find a Midwife
So, no doubt about it, a midwife is a huge asset when planning to have a low-intervention birth. But, how do you find one? Well, word of mouth is the best way. Ask any friends who have had a natural childbirth who they delivered with. If that’s not an option, here is a web-based service that will connect you with local midwives in your area.
Once you have a few midwives to choose from, it’s important that you pick the right one for you by using midwife interview questions. After all, it’s never safe to assume that a midwife, even as inherently crunchy as the role may seem, will be as naturally-minded as you are. I’ve known midwives to recommend conventional things like Tylenol, Benadryl, the Glucola drink, and routine antibiotics with GBS positive.
So, it’s important to interview your midwife to be sure you are in sync. This will ensure that your desires for natural birth and postpartum care will be honored as much as possible. Here are midwife interview questions that are important to ask before you agree to work together.
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Midwife Interview Questions
Midwife Experience:
✓ How many years have you been practicing?
✓ How many babies do you delivery on average yearly?
✓ Where did you receive certification?
✓ Do you take CE (continuing education) classes?
✓ Are you state licensed?
✓ Are you a member of any associations for midwives?
Midwife Appointments:
✓ How often will I have appointments scheduled?
✓ What will happen during each appointment?
✓ What type of payment plan do you offer and what do your fees include?
✓ Can I bring a family member(s) to my appointments?
✓ Are you on punctual with appointment times or is there usually a wait?
Medical Requirements:
✓ Do you have/use a fetoscope?
✓ Do you require the use of dopplers?
✓ Do you require an ultrasound and/or vaginal exams?
✓ Do you require the gestational diabetes test? Is there any alternative to the Glucola drink?
✓ Do you test for GBS+? What is the course of treatment if a mom is positive?
Birthing Experience:
✓ Do you offer home and/or water births?
✓ Do you do VBACs? What is your success rate like?
✓ Do you allow delayed cord clamping? How about delayed bathing?
✓ What do you typically recommend for pain management during labor?
✓ Do you encourage pregnant moms to use doulas? Or get chiropractor care?
✓ What does the 1st hour after birth look like? Do you encourage skin-to-skin contact with baby and mom?
✓ Do you encourage moms to breastfeed? Do you know what a proper latch looks like and best positions for newborns? Do you have lactation consultants you recommend?
✓ What is your postpartum care plan for myself? Baby?
Emergency Situations:
✓ Have you completed training in neonatal resuscitation?
✓ How do you handle situations when the baby is breech during labor?
✓ Which hospital(s) are you approved for working in case of an emergency?
✓ Do you have experience with postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, breech baby or cord prolapse?
Medical Interventions:
✓ How long after my due date do you allow women to go?
✓ At what point do your patients/clients become too high risk to work with?
✓ Which physicians are you affiliated with in case of transfer of care because too high risk? Do you have personal relationships with them?
✓ What percent of your patients end up with an epidural? With a Caesarean? With a forceps or vacuum extraction delivery?
Personal Character:
✓ Do you have children yourself? Did you use a midwife during your own deliveries?
✓ Are you a good decision maker?
✓ Why should I choose you to deliver my newborn? What sets you apart?
✓ What is your style or bedside manner?
Miscellaneous:
✓ Do you have any vacation/trips planned during the month of my due date?
✓ What was the most successful birthing experience you were involved in?
✓ Have you ever lost a baby or mother during a delivery?
Remember, Your Midwife Works for You
The above midwife interview questions are not an all-inclusive list and some you may skip altogether. The important thing is to take the emotion out of it and ask the midwife the tough questions that are important to YOU. After all, you are hiring her for a job and an interview is part of the process 🙂
Your midwife will be one of your greatest assets and supporters in your natural childbirth. Choose wisely!
Get a Printable Version of These Questions
Don’t forget to download my exclusive midwife interview questions pdf below!
Midwife Interview Questions Find the Right Support for YOU Cheat Sheet
How About You?
Have you used a midwife before? What were your midwife interview questions? Which questions were most important to you? Share with us in the comments below!
