homebirth mw interview - situation questions

[valeria_vi]

I have started to interview homebirth midwives. There's a number of good threads here with general questions to midwives (this thread gives links http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=194306 ). So far I only had 1 interview, but I have realized that I also want to ask more specific questions about how they will handle different situations, and not just general questions. I asked some of those questions (like how long she feels comfortale to let the placenta come out and what she does if it doesn't come out during that time), but I would like help in putting more of thoise questions together.

here's what I have so far:

1. how long she is comfortable with going post dates, does she monitor mother and baby if I go over
2. how long for placenta to come out. what happens if it does not come out during that time
3. what if my water breaks and contractions do not start
4. what if I am in labor for days
5. what if my labor is just progressing slowly (not fod days, but just slow)
6. postpartum bleeding handling
7. breech baby handling
8. shoulder distocia handling
9. what emergencies could arise during labor and birth, and how they will be handled. what emergency equipment will you have on hand
10. how do you monitor mom and baby during birth

please add to my list anything you ca think of. thanks!

[pamamidwife]

I think those are good things!

Maybe how does she feel about prenatal testing, what tests does she insist upon, etc.?

[ramlita]

Maybe you could ask how often she does episiotomies, and hopefully more pertinently, what her strategies are for protecting you from tearing as your baby emerges.
Some midwives like to do a lot of perineal massage, and apply oils as the baby's head becomes visible, and others are more hands-off.
I think I have heard that when we give birth in the water, our tissues are more able to allow the birth without need for extra support. I wonder if (assuming it still feels right when the times comes) this would be a good option for you to think about? The water provides some extra privacy and personal space, and it may help enable the level of hands-off care you've been looking for. Just something to think about...

[valeria_vi]

ramlah, I am definitely looking at having a waterbirth for all the reasons you have mentioned. We have interviewed a midwife today who is very much into water birthing and I actually liked her. She might be the one we pick at the end.

[darsmama]

I think you might want to ask how she would react if there was meconium in your water breakage.

[valeria_vi]

I think you might want to ask how she would react if there was meconium in your water breakage.
this is a great one I have totally missed! Thanks!

[Blucactus]

helpful!