Questions for Midwife?

Karrotelle

Hi Ladies!

H & I found out last night that we were accepted into the local midwife program and assigned a midwife (Hooray!). We are so happy that everything fell into place. Our goal is to do a home birth (Assuming there's no reason that develops as to why we can't). 

We meet our midwife for the first time on December 13th and were told to bring our "list of questions" to the meeting. Honestly, I have no idea what to ask! This is our first child and we're pretty new to the whole concept of a natural birth. My understanding is there's really different "levels" of a natural birth depending on how much intervention you allow.

Do any of you ladies know of some books or websites that I could check out that would give me some more information? Or do you have any questions that I should ask our midwife when we see her?

 TIA!!!

leannehjohnston

Congratulations! You'll come up with questions as you go along, but I'd recommend watching "The Business of Being Born" if you haven't seen it already. That's a good place to start in terms of planting some seeds of what you want/don't want. I'd also recommend reading "Your Best Birth" and "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." If you haven't decided on a birth method, I'd recommend "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way," "Husband Coached Childbirth", "HypnoBirthing" and "Birthing From Within" to see what method best suits you.

Best of luck!!!  

vintagejjane

I have a really nice list of questions I asked my midwife. I'll PM  you them Good luck! It's a really exciting experience!

Karrotelle

vintagejjane:

I have a really nice list of questions I asked my midwife. I'll PM  you them Good luck! It's a really exciting experience!

 

Awesome thanks so much!

JustSomeChick

I asked a ton of questions when interviewing my midwife. She happily answered all of these questions, sometimes she'd answer like 4 questions in one answer. My midwife is great.

 

anyway, this was my list of questions. I know it seems ridiculously large lol:

 

 1) How can I be sure that a midwife attended birth is safe?
2) What is your education and training?
3) Why did you decide to become a midwife?
4) What is your general philosophy about pregnancy and childbirth?
5) How many years have you been practicing?
6) How many babies have you delivered?
7) How often will I see you and what do your check ups consist of?
8) What are your guidelines concerning exercise, weight gain, prenatal vitamins, etc?
9) Do you work alone or with a partner or assistant? If you work with someone, what is their experience?

10) If you get sick, who takes over for you?
11) Do you associate with  a particular pediatrician or do you know of any pediatricians that practice holistic/homeopathic medicine?
12) How many clients do you have due in any 4 week period, and what is the plan if I go into labor while you're with another laboring client?
13) Are you available 24 hours a day at all times?
 14) Are there any items I need to bring to the birth center with me (pool, birth ball, aromatherapy tools, etc)
15)  Are there any books, documentaries, classes, etc. that you suggest?
16) What kind of equipment do you bring to a birth?
17) What pain relief methods do you use?
18) In a typical labor, how often do you do vaginal exams?
19) Do you ever use an IV during a birth?
20) Am I allowed to labor in whatever position is comfortable for me?
21) Can I eat and drink as I please during labor?
22) Is my partner allowed to be as active at the birth as he would like to be?
23) What is your usual approach to a labor that is progressing slowly?
24) How do you handle the pushing stage?
25) How long are you willing to let a client push, or do you base it solely on the baby's stress level?
26) How often do you listen to baby during labor?
27) What is your cut-off for considering a baby to be premature and requiring a hospital birth?
28)  What happens if my pregnancy goes past 42 weeks?
29) Do you do natural inductions (nipple stimulation, castor oil, cohosh, etc?)
30) Do you ever do a membrane sweep or artificially rupture membranes to get labor going?
31)  How effective are natural induction methods? What are the risks?
32) If my water breaks before labor starts, how long do you wait before trying to start labor or transferring to a hospital?
33) What happens if the umbilical cord is prolapsed?
34) How do you handle shoulder dystocia?
35) How do you handle a posterior baby?
35) What is your c-section rate?
36) Do you ever perform episiotomies? If so, how often?
37) What percentage of your clients tear?
38) How do you prevent tearing?
39) What can I do now to prevent tearing?
40) What happens if my perineum needs stitching/suturing?
41) What is your hospital transfer rate?
42) What is your typical transfer, one that requires intervention, or one where the mother desires it?
43)  In the case transport is required, how is the mother transported?
44)  Where is the closest hospital to the birth center?
45)  In what cases would a woman require transport to a hospital?
46) If for any reason I needed transport, would you stay in the hospital with me?
47) If the baby were to move into a breech position, what could be done?
48) What procedures are done to the baby after birth?
49) Can all procedures be performed with baby in my arms?
50) Do you do PKU testing, or is this done after being discharged from the birth center?
51) If the baby needs resuscitation, how is this handled?
52) What life saving measures are you certified in?
53) Have you ever had any bad outcomes for mother or baby?
54) How do you feel about delayed cord clamping?
55) Can I opt for an oral dose of vitamin K?
56) Do you administer eye drops, or can I choose to administer colostrum to baby?s eyes?
57) I do not want vaccines administered to my son. How do you feel about this?
58) If I hemorrhage or experience excessive bleeding after birth, how is this handled?
59) Are there any procedures done to the mother after the birth?
60) Are you experienced in breastfeeding and can you help me should I come across a problem?
61) Do you provide postpartum visits, and if so, when and how many?

venussapphire

Hey Karrotelle I recognize you from the June board. Yay another june mama trying for a home birth!

I have my second midwife appointment the same day as your first appointment!

My midwife answered a lot of my questions when she went over her speel about her practice and what to expect.

Here are some things I would ask about

-How many midwives in the practice
-How often they do courses to keep their skills up to date
- c-section and transfer rate
-What is an emergency where you should call her
-When she will be there for labour
-How many midwives will be there for labour/when they get there/how long they will stay
-Ask if she does your first few post partum visits at home or office

umm...thats all i can think of at the moment.

Good luck!!