How many?

[mija y mijo]

How many midwives did you interview before finding the right one? I have one in mind that I plan on calling as soon as I get a BFP, but was wondering if I should line up a few more interviews to compare. Our schedule is tight (I'm with the kids all.the.time.) and the thought of squeezing in interview after interview is a little daunting...

Did you just know after the first interview and decide "this is the one!" or did you keep looking around before you came to a decision?

[MsBlack]

I generally suggest that mamas talk to a few mws, just to be sure they have the right one...many families do this, but some stick with their first choice and never look further. It's up to you, of course. I can see how you wouldn't want to drag the kids to interviews, but how about some phone chat, email exchanges? Often that's how 'interviews' start for me--prospective clients call, we chat a little--they decide whether or not they want to schedule an interview (or this pre-interview is done via email instead). Just a thought. you never know, while you may like the one you have in mind, maybe there is another out there you'd like better, offers something special that the other doesn't....

[First Time Mama]

With my first pregnancy I went with the first midwives I interviewed. (I knew them prior to my pregnancy). Because of the outcome of that birth, I interviewed midwives much more carefully this time and was selective. I interviewed four midwives, everyone available to travel to my area. I did end up choosing the first pair that I interviewed based on my feelings after talking with all of them, but I am very glad that I considered several this time around.

[lunarlady]

With both my births I want with the first MW I interviewed. Went great with the first, not so great with the second. If there is a third, I will interview several. Maybe 3. My experience with my second MW taught me that the MW you choose will make or break your birth experience.

[Sihaya]

Before I got pg with DS, I contacted all of the midwives within 2 hours of me (10-12 total, I think) and ended up interviewing 5-6 of them. Even after I found the midwife I clicked with, I continued to interview all of them to be thorough.

I second the idea of phone or email interviews if your child care situation prevents you from having lots of in-person interviews. Also, most of the midwives I interviewed came to my house for the interview. One of the ones that didn't, I went to her house, where her 3yo was present. I don't have children the age yours are, but it seems like it would be feasible to have the interview at your house with a 9yo and 4yo there and expect them to be able to keep themselves occupied for the most part.