Questions to Ask a Midwife
There are many, many questions you could ask a midwife during your consult with her! Every woman/family is individual and has particular needs or desires. The following list is just an example or guideline for you. Your midwife will provide plenty of time for this discussion. This list could be modified to use when interviewing a Certified Nurse Midwife or an OB/GYN. Ask those hard questions, they are important.
What are your qualifications or experiences as a midwife?
How long have you been a midwife? What is your transport rate? What is your Cesarean rate? Any infant deaths or maternal deaths?
What does prenatal care look like in your practice? What do postpartum visits look like?
How often do we schedule visits?
Am I required to have blood work or ultrasounds done? Do you do these tests?
Do you have doctor back up or do you require concurrent care with a hospital-based provider?
I assume I will be free to walk around during labor.
I assume I will be able to move around and change position at will throughout my labor.
I assume I will be able to eat and drink during labor.
Will we be able to have music playing during labor?
Do you care about the noise level?
Do you care about the light level?
What circumstances do you ask to do vaginal exams?
Do you offer an IV for fluid intake?
I assume I will wear glasses/ jewelry or not as I feel comfortable.
I assume that all procedures and options will be discussed before decisions are made.
When do you like to do doppler checks for my baby’s heart rate?
I assume there will be no rupturing of my water sac?
When do you recommend labor augmentation? What do you usually recommend?
When and how do you 'guide' me in pushing?
Will you suggest positions for pushing?
Can I assume that the baby will be on me immediately after birth?
Who will 'catch' the baby? Can I do this, or my partner?
Who will cut the cord? Can we delay clamping the cord?
What do we do with the placenta? Do you have resources for placental encapsulation?
I assume that the baby will not be taken away from me after birth--can all the newborn exams be done at bedside?
What are your qualifications or experiences as a midwife?
How long have you been a midwife? What is your transport rate? What is your Cesarean rate? Any infant deaths or maternal deaths?
What does prenatal care look like in your practice? What do postpartum visits look like?
How often do we schedule visits?
Am I required to have blood work or ultrasounds done? Do you do these tests?
Do you have doctor back up or do you require concurrent care with a hospital-based provider?
I assume I will be free to walk around during labor.
I assume I will be able to move around and change position at will throughout my labor.
I assume I will be able to eat and drink during labor.
Will we be able to have music playing during labor?
Do you care about the noise level?
Do you care about the light level?
What circumstances do you ask to do vaginal exams?
Do you offer an IV for fluid intake?
I assume I will wear glasses/ jewelry or not as I feel comfortable.
I assume that all procedures and options will be discussed before decisions are made.
When do you like to do doppler checks for my baby’s heart rate?
I assume there will be no rupturing of my water sac?
When do you recommend labor augmentation? What do you usually recommend?
When and how do you 'guide' me in pushing?
Will you suggest positions for pushing?
Can I assume that the baby will be on me immediately after birth?
Who will 'catch' the baby? Can I do this, or my partner?
Who will cut the cord? Can we delay clamping the cord?
What do we do with the placenta? Do you have resources for placental encapsulation?
I assume that the baby will not be taken away from me after birth--can all the newborn exams be done at bedside?
Woven in Love Maternity Services, LLC
Eileen Denomme, CPM
Office or Home Visits Available For Your convenience
586-337-0393
Eileen Denomme, CPM
Office or Home Visits Available For Your convenience
586-337-0393
