Things You'll Need:
- commitment to create the best & safest birthing experience possible
- Love ~ Love ~ Love
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Step 1
Ask for their references from at least five of their most recent births and check them. Even the worst service provider will have had a few good ones, so you want recent ones to give you an idea of the consistency and quality of their service.
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Step 2
Know the laws for yourself. For example, it is illegal to use a midwife & have your baby at home within the city limits of Louisville, KY. However, it is legal in the surrounding counties.
Why? There are more Dr.s in the city, and they do not want competition interfering with profits.
Please feel free to look at the resource section below to review research about the safety of home births over hospital births.
(There is global research supporting this fact.)
Your midwife should be well aware of the laws for your particular area, and have a plan should you need medical intervention. -
Step 3
Prenatal care & record keeping. A good midwife will be actively involved with your pregnancy long before the birthing. Ask what kind of records she keeps. This is a good indicator of the quality and competence of her service.
I chose to see a regular DR. during my pregnancy as well as the midwife. -
Step 4
Ask how the birthing process will be monitored. Does your midwife use a stethoscope to monitor the baby's heart rate? What other means to they use during the process to make sure everything is ok?
What signs will they look for to determine if a medical intervention is needed? -
Step 5
Your midwife should have a plan and procedure if the babies heart rate should start to drop and you need medical intervention.
Our midwife made us time 3 different routes to the hospital at 3 different times of day so we would have a good idea of how long it would take to get to the hospital, and at different times of day, if we needed to.
She made us document it and write it down.
This is the kind of caution and pre planning you want from your midwife to ensure your safety. -
Step 6
Very important - when interviewing potential midwives, see how you personally feel and click with those individuals. Do you feel listened to and respected?
Are your questions answered or avoided?
You want someone who will respect the sacredness your you bringing this new life into the world!
Does the midwife act offended by your questions?
If so, don't use her! A good midwife understands the potential dangers in the birthing process and would never avoid your questions or try to minimize your concerns.
~ ~ ~ Remember ~ ~ ~
- if she does not show respect and concern before the birth, don't expect anything different during your birthing process. -
Step 7
A MUST! Read Spiritual Midwifery by Ina Mae Gaskins, who is the Godmother of midwifery in this country. She offer a wealth of information to help empower you and make an informed decision.
