Interviewing Midwives

[Goldiemom]

I have 3 prospective midwives that I have contacted to set up interviews with. Why am I so nervous about talking with them? I had a really great midwife for my last birth, but she doesn't do homebirths, so I am off to find a new one. : The ones I found also deliver in the counties that dh and I are looking to move to, so once I hire someone, I will be able to continue with them even when we move. That is a huge relief to me. I am still extremely nervous though. Any helpful advice out there? Thanks so much Mamas!

[Synchro246]

I meet the first one on Tuesday. I'm not nervous exactly. I don't know. I can't wait though.
I am going to ask a lot more questions about her training and what she thinks and does in specific situations. I may print out my last birth plan and ask what she thinks. Hmmmm brainstorming OR maybe I'll make a plan of care and see what she thinks.
I don't know. I really hope I clique with one. My dh wants me to have a mw, and I could go either way mw or uc.

Good luck

[sedalbj]

I ask questions about episiotomy rate, hospital transfers (rate, and whether she will stay with you if you do get transferred), how she treats strep b, if any tests are absolutely required, what about breech, etc. Not that I expect for any of those things to happen, but her answers really give a sense of her attitude about medical intervention, and also her confidence in her abilities as a mw. Even if you don't get the strep b test, or ultrasounds, or whatever, her response to less than perfect results is a good indicator.

[mamaberd]

I like to know if they ever rupture membranes. Its is a pretty simple (& common) form of intervention that is pretty telling of their attitude toward the suite of interventions. IMO

I also ask who she likes/dislikes having present at the birth. Yes, it is your birth but if the presence of someone (say, dogs) is bothering her it will affect you in the end.

Good luck- I am meeting my second perspective MW team Friday. Can't wait.

[jessitron]

Oooh mamaberd, good question. I always think it's odd when very natural-birth midwives break the bag of waters deliberately. Plenty of them do.

I like the "what do you do if" questions. Also ask about her births. That can give you a clue to her personality and perspective.

[Goldiemom]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did a phone interview with one, and I will be meeting the other one tomorrow at 10:30 for a consultation. I am very excited about it because she seems to be really nice. Best of luck to all of us interviewing midwives. Hopefully we won't end up with MEDwives.

[darsmama]

Some other things to ask are: What do you consider normal labor?
Kind of a trick question but you can get a better understanding of what kind of mw she is by her response.
Also, ask about water birth! Even if you aren't interested in doing it. One of my friends totally went with this mw who replied that she felt wb was unsafe and didn't help moms much. When pressed, she also added that because she couldn't see the baby if there happened to be a problem she didn't like it.
Kind of a coinkidink this mama who went with this mw, also 'all on her own' labored and birthed on her back...Kind of a testimony to how easily persuaded we can be in labor and birth - I think.
I would ask about verticle birth and the mw's opinion. Also, about if your husband or yourself will be able to catch the babe.
Little things like this can tell you a lot about the mw.

Hth!

[darsmama]

Oh and another thing,
but what instances would prompt a hospital transport, with her? That can tell you a lot.

[Jposey]

I was also nervous when I started interviewing MWs. I typed up a good 7 pages of questions though! Once I increased the font, double spaced it, and left enough room for me to right my comments, it turned into *17* pages. The first midwife we interviewed was here about 2 and a half hours. DH laughed because I was so thorough. I dont think there was any topic that I missed! Once I got into the first couple of pages though, the nervousness went away. We were able to chit-chat about most of it and that was a lot more comfortable! So my big advice, is write down your questions, and have a LOT of them

[BrooklynDoula]

For me, I knew right away if it was someone I clicked with (last time this is) - I just knew. I am that way with people on the whole, though. We have our first meeting next Tuesday.