Question to ask a Home Birth Midwife

Nickiechan · August 2013

We are 'entertaining' the idea of a home birth. DH is still on the fence about it. I was wondering what questions should I put on the interview sheet when we meet with the midwife on Monday. Any suggestions?

spicysurro · August 2013

*What type of equipment do you carry?

*What types of emergencies are you comfortable handling yourself/Which ones do you transfer?

*Would you accompany me to the hospital?

*How they feel about episiotomies?

*What is their transfer rate?

I am doing either a home birth or birth center, but I would read up on Ina May Gaskins Guide to Childbirth. Its really encouraging and kinda helps you gear yourself and help you know exactly what you want in your birth! She suggest asking open ended questions like "what is your opinion on this" that way they have to kinda explain why they do what they do without giving you a short yes or no. Good luck, my DH is also kinda skeptic of home birth but im pretty sure thats what we will have. I like the idea of not having to go anywhere. Good luck with everything!

vintagejjane · August 2013

This was the list I used.

Do you have guidelines or restrictions about who can give birth at home?
What is your definition of "high-risk"?
When do I call you?
How would you handle a hemorrhage?

eating drinking, moving, blood tests,

What is your back-up system during pregnancy and labor—when you go on vacation, are sick or with another mother?
Have you ever missed a birth? If so, what were the circumstances?
Are you available 24 hours a day at all times?

Prenatal Care

What are your expectations of clients during pregnancy?
Can you recommend or will you loan to us appropriate books , videos, internet sites, etc. to help us prepare for homebirth?
Do you require or recommend that my husband and I take a childbirth education class or attend pregnancy discussion groups?
What do your checkups consist of?
Do you allow the mother to go past 42 weeks and still have a homebirth?
What are your standards for preeclampsia?
Do you come to my home any time before I go into labor?

Hospital and Obstetrician

What situations do you consult the Obstetrician for?
What problems or complications in pregnancy would mean that a physician would become my primary maternity caregiver?
Under what circumstances do you transfer to hospital?
What is your percentage of hospital transfers?
What is your Cesarean rate? What are the most common reasons?
What would be the plan of action if a transfer to hospital were necessary?
What care would you give me if I need to transfer?
Would you stay with me in the hospital? In the operating room? For how long after the birth?

General Labor

What do you perceive your role to be during my labor?
What are your expectations of clients during birth?
What equipment and supplies do you bring to a birth?
How do you handle emergencies?
What natural comfort techniques do you provide?
What pharmaceutical drugs, homeopathics and/or herbs do you use at births?
What is your usual approach to a labor that is progressing slowly?
How often do you listen to baby during labor?
How many people are you comfortable with being present at the labor and birth?
How do you feel about having a doula at a homebirth?
How much time do you allow for the delivery of the placenta?
What is done with the placenta once its delivered?
Do you allow the placenta to be delivered underwater?
What is you episiotomy rate?
What happens if my perineum needs stitching/suturing?
What supplies do I need for the birth? Where can I purchase those supplies?
Do you help with cleanup?
How long do you stay after the birth?

How do I obtain the baby’s birth certificate?
How often do you come to see me after I give birth?
What do these visits include?
How often will I visit you after the birth?
What do these visits include?
Why are they important?
Do you examine the baby at any or all of your visits?
What does the examination include?

Nickiechan · August 2013

Thank you so much!! There are only two home birth midwifes in the area and I am hearing rave reviews everywhere about the one we are interviewing on Monday. The other I haven't really heard of, but she didn't really want to write me an email back. This one has been very open and even gave me a FAQ document.

Noethola · August 2013

Also, consider asking how many home birth patients she takes a month. Also, what is her philosophy of birth? This will tell you a lot about the midwife and will answer a lot of your questions without having to ask them.

Also, if you are paying out of pocket: what is the payment plan? Do you pay in full before the birth? If something happens and you deliver at the hospital and not at home (like 3 weeks early) is anything returned if you have paid in full? If she takes insurance, ask about that.

Nickiechan · August 2013

mommystephy said:

personally my first question Would be what's your training and what licenses do you have a medical profession wise

She sent me a FAQ document which tells her training and licenses. She has a Masters in Nursing and is a Certified Nurse Midwife for 15 years and 650 births and 230 assistance births.

robyn2201 · August 2013

Bookmarking this post. I would love a home birth if we have another LO.

Nickiechan · August 2013

Found this...

https://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2013/01/01/44-questions-for-your-midwife/

Pretty good resource.

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Question to ask a Home Birth Midwife

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