What is your training and how many births have you attended? If you are licensed? If yes, did you attend a three year program or go through the California challenge program? If not why? What is the law concerning homebirth. Are you now being or have you ever been investigated? What kind of relationship do you have with the other Midwives in your area?
Do you have a working relationship with another doctor/midwife if needed? (Go to your local hospital and OBs office and ask about their experience with the midwife) Who and where? What happens in the event that you are unavailable?
How do I contact you when I am in labor?
How much time do you normally spend with a laboring woman?
If a woman is in labor and you are not there, who provides her care?
How much experience do you have with: Cord Prolapse, Hemorrhage, Neonatal Resuscitation, Breech Babies/Birth (have you turned a baby), Suturing, IVs,
Do you do prenatal checkups? How often? Do you do postpartum checkups?
Do you offer prenatal classes? Where are they held?
How will you assist me in preparing for labor?
What percentages of women receive episiotomies in your practice? How do you prevent the need for episiotomies?
What percentages of women receive cesarean sections in your practice? What percent of women do you transport?
What do you do in emergency situations? Have you ever had a baby or mother die? What happened? Was there an investigation?
What is your policy on umbilical cord clamping? Do you routinely clamp and clamp immediately after birth, allow the cord to stop pulsating before clamping and cutting, or encourage the lotus method (no clamping or cutting)?
Do you encourage family-centered maternity care? How do you see this working in practical terms?
Are medications available?
How do your services differ from that of other birth attendants?
Do you offer water births?
What is your policy on informed decision making by the parents?
