- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Eco-Friendly Family
babyluv617
member
Is there a database of midwives?
babyluv617
member
I want to see if there are any in my area. How do I find out? I'm googling but didn't know if there's an "official" site.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Is there a database of midwives?
There's a good one I've seen but can't find it right now...
You can look here: https://www.midwife.org/find.cfm
If you want a homebirth midwife, you can look here: www.birthpartners.com
some states maintain their own database (maybe mine does it because their have their own midwife regulations, but I think other states have them too), so try googling your state plus midwives.
And also don't hesitate to ask around for referrals, or maybe call local naturopathic dr. offices - I know mine has a small print out of local midwives, doulas, childbirth classes, LLL group, and other resources for naturally minded birthing/parenting.
when I wanted to find mine, I started off with an extensive google search and discovered a group that is dedicated to alternative (for lack of a better word) parenting choices. Its called CHOICES and they have midwife listings on their board. Also, don't forget to ask chiropractors. I googled like, "Northwest Indiana Homebirth" and "Indiana Midwives" and that type of thing until I came up with the group.
What kind of midwife are you looking for? Because Certified Nurse midwives are fairly easy to find and most of them work in hospitals or doctors offices. If you want a home birth midwife, that's the harder thing to find.
Also, look at your insurance. Mine actually covers midwives, and they maintain a list of the in-network ones along with all the other various physicians. But, they're all CNM's, no home birth midwives. (CPM's, generally)
I'm not doing any serious searching yet. I've talked with dh about a homebirth before and he is 100% against it. He supports me in so much else that I'm conceding on this issue... for now.
Tales of the Wife
I totally understand where you are coming from - it needs to be a decision made by both of you.
However, my husband was 100% opposed to it (I asked him before I got pregnant) but after meeting with the various midwives in town during our free consultations he is totally on board. The first midwife we met with had to basically start from scratch - by explaining her training and experience plus her philosophy and showing him some studies she was able to make him think it wasn't anything to be scared of.
Of course she had to spend a lot of time discussing high-risk vs. low-risk and the process for hospital transfers but she did it all so well and on his terms. It really solidified my decision because she was able to seem to approachable and knowledgeable while at the same time put his mind at ease. He just needed to know we wouldn't be taking risks or compromising my or the baby's health.
All the midwives we met with have a long list of references (including some that ended up transfering to the hospital). I haven't called any but my husband really considered it - but I was able to connect him with the receptionist at my dr. office who had a home birth and we also got an email from a friend of a friend about her local home birth.
I'm not sure where you are located, it might harder if you are in a state where homebirth isn't legal because everything isn't so open.
Sooooo, it is possible for husbands to change their opinion, but only if you feel comfortable. Also, the CPMs in my area all do normal well woman care (annual pap, etc) so that might be a way to build a relationship with one.