I am pregnant for the third time, so my husband and I have been going through the process of interviewing midwives again. With all of the Covid craziness many of the midwives in our area have jumped off the deep end and are no longer compatible with my family. We are very hopeful that this time we find our forever midwife.
Obviously what questions you ask and which ones are important to you are going to depend on what type of birth you want for you and your baby. The following are the questions that I ask when interviewing a midwife:
- Why did you become a midwife?
- How long have you been a midwife?
- How many births have you attended?
- Have you ever lost a mother or baby?
- What is your transfer rate?
- What is your C-section rate?
- Do you stay an act as a doula if a transfer is necessary or chosen?
- Do you have an assistant?
- Will I be able to meet them beforehand?
- Do you have a backup?
- Will I be able to meet them beforehand?
- Have you ever missed a birth?
- What is your policy on multiples?
- What is your policy on breech babies?
- Do you require any tests of Mom or baby?
- Ultrasound?
- Glucose test?
- Hemoglobin test?
- Urine test?
- Group B strep?
- Blood test?
- Any other testing?
- Do you use a fetoscope or doppler?
- Can I request no doppler usage even during labor unless there is something unusual going on?
- Do you observe the magic hour?
- Do you require any of the newborn screenings?
- Do you offer newborn screenings?
- What is the gestation window I have to be in to have my baby at home with you attending?
- Are you trained in neonatal resuscitation?
- What do you bring to a birth?
- Do you help with breastfeeding?
- Do you require cervical checks?
- What does your appointment schedule look like?
- What is your fee and what is included?
- Do you offer water birth?
- Do you have a tub I can rent?
- What would risk someone out of your care?
- May I deny the vitamin k, erythromycin and hepatitis b vaccine?
- How do you feel about me using herbs, homeopathy and scalar energy medicine?
- Are you familiar with Hypnobabies?
When talking to the midwife on the phone before I set up an interview time I ask if they require masks during appointments or during the homebirth or if they feel like need to wear one. I also ask if they are getting or planning to get the covid vaccine due to the concerns of vaccine shedding/transmission causing an increase in miscarriages. This weeds out several midwifes who are not compatible with my family and keeps me from wasting their time with an interview.
Did I miss any of the questions that you ask? Let me know in the comments.
