Questions to Ask a Midwife about Her Midwifery Practice - Part 2

Choosing the right midwife to attend your home birth 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 Practice

How many clients do you take per month?
Do you limit your client load as to ensure every woman in your practice is well cared for?
Do you work alone?
Does a second midwife attend the birth?
Do you work with an apprentice and if you do what level of interaction will I have with her?
What arrangements do you have if you are sick or if two of your clients are in labor at the same time?
Will I be able to meet any other midwives who might be involved in my birth?
Do you participate in regular peer review?
What prenatal care do you provide?
What do your prenatal visits consist of and how long are they?
Do you provide home visits?
What are your recommendations about my nutrition during pregnancy?
What protocols do you have regarding "going overdue" during the pregnancy?
Do you recommend a certain position for birth?
Do consider yourself a “hands on” or “hands off” midwife?
How do you feel about waterbirth?
How many of your clients deliver in the water?
Is a birth pool included in your fee?
How often do your clients have an intact perineum after the birth?
Can you suture if a tear occurs?
Up to what degree do you suture?
How many third or fourth degree tears have you had?
Do you assist with cleanup after the birth?
How long do you usually stay after the birth?
How often will I see you after the birth?
What do you do during the postpartum visits?
Do you check the baby at each postpartum visit?
Can you provide breast feeding assistance and when was the last time you nursed a baby or gave birth?