Questions to Ask a Midwife about Education and Experiences - Part 1

Choosing the right midwife to attend your homebirth is one of life’s greatest decisions. This list will help prepare you to ask the important questions needed to make the best choice for you and your baby. In addition to the actual answers to the questions that you ask pay attention to how you feel during the consult.

Midwifery Education and Experience

What is your philosophy about pregnancy and birth?
Why did you become a midwife?
How long have you been involved in birth work?
Approximately how many births have you attended?
Have you worked in the birth field other than as a midwife?
How, when and where did you receive your education in midwifery?
Did you attend a formal midwifery education program or did you train by apprenticeship, or both?
Are you a licensed midwife?
Are you a certified professional midwife?
Are you certified in Neonatal Resuscitation?
What continuing education have you attended lately that might be beneficial to my care?
Would you provide me with the names of a few mothers as references?
Do you maintain statistics from your practice?
Have you had any poor outcomes for mothers or babies? Please explain.
Do you have any additional degrees or certifications that are relevant to your midwifery practice?
Do you work with any midwifery or home birth organizations?