* How long have you been involved in birth?
(Many midwives were doulas or childbirth educators before attending births formally as a primary midwife)

* How many births have you attended as primary midwife?
(This number excludes births attended as part of the apprenticeship / learning process)

* How did you make the decision to become a midwife?

* Who attends births with you? Do they also come to the prenatal appointments? Do I have a choice in who assists you at my birth?

* Do you have a relationship with a physician should we need to transfer care or arrange a consult?

* What kind of childbirth education programs do you recommend?

* Are there any sort of birth scenarios that you would be uncomfortable attending at home?

* What is NOT included in your fee?
(Many times labwork, including ultrasound, is not included, as well as birth kits or other supplies)

* How are payment arrangements made?

* Do you accept insurance?

* What are your feelings on waterbirth? Do you have a tub that clients can use?

* What do prenatal visits consist of? Where do these visits take place? How often?

* What is your opinion of father/partner/family involvement in birth?

* How do you feel about fathers/partners catching the baby?

* What is your protocol if a client goes past her due date?

* What equipment, supplies, etc., do you bring to births?
(This includes resuscitation equipment and medications for hemorrhage, etc.)

* What sort of monitoring of the baby do you use during labor?
(Some midwives will use a fetoscope, others a doppler, while others will use both. If it is important to you that a doppler is NOT used, you may want to state your feelings and get input from the midwife on how she feels about it)

* How often do you listen to baby during labor?

* What happens if you have two clients in labor at once?

* What are your expectations of clients during prengancy and birth?

* Do you assist women with Vaginal Births After Cesarean (VBAC)?

* What complications require a transport to the hospital? What happens during a transport and once we're at the hospital? (Some midwives in states where midwifery is illegal cannot risk accompanying a client to the hospital - this is important to know!)

* Do you have a limit on the number of clients you accept a month?

* How do your clients get in touch with you?

* Do you have books and videos that clients may borrow?

* How do you feel about siblings at birth?

* What do you provide as far as postpartum services (breastfeeding support, newborn care, etc.)?

* What is your basic philosophy about birth?

* How do you feel about having a doula at a homebirth?

* Do you have any former clients that could be called about your services?


I strongly recommend ALL parents interview as many people as possible - physicians, naturopathic doctors, and midwives - in the area to get a solid understanding of the different philosophies and options available.

As a provider, I recognize that not every prospective client will choose me to attend their birth. What is very important is that these families choose the RIGHT person to fit within their beliefs, expectations, and philosophies. I trust that families have the ability to make a decision that is perfect for them. It is my hope that the competitiveness that occurs between providers dissipates as we all work together to preserve CHOICE and safe birth.

After interviewing midwives, if you still have questions, feel free to call them - getting things cleared up, or asking for further information, is welcomed! Once you have made a decision, it's nice to send a card or make a phone call letting the other providers you interviewed know about your final decision. (However, you don't have to reveal which provider you hired)

Listen to your heart, ask the questions that are important to you and how you see your birth, and take as much time as you need - This is an important decision!