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Questions for a MidwifeWe designed a special PDF of this page that provides plenty of room for you to write your answers to the questions below. Download it now (PDF). (  notes results of best available research) Background, Education, PhilosophyWhat is your educational background? How long have you been in practice? How many births have you attended? Are you certified? Licensed?What is your philosophy of pregnancy and birth? Practice OrganizationIs your practice a group or individual practice?If this is a group practice:
CostWhat are your fees? Are there any possible extra costs that I should know about?Do you accept my health insurance plan? [Note: you should also check with your insurer to confirm coverage.] Do you accept alternate payment arrangements, such as sliding scale, time payments, or barter? Prenatal CareWhat are your goals for prenatal care?What schedule of prenatal visits do you recommend, and what would happen during those visits? How do you define "high-risk"? When would I fall into this category? What problems or complications in pregnancy would mean that a physician would become my primary maternity caregiver? What arrangements would you have for my care should I develop one of these complications or problems? Would you continue to have a role in my care? Care During Labor and Birth — LocationWhere do you attend births?Care During Labor and Birth — CompanionsDo you have any policies that limit the number of people who could be with me during labor and birth? Could the baby's siblings be present? Is there an age restriction?Do you have experience with trained labor support (doulas) during labor and birth? Do you encourage use of doula care?
Care During Labor and Birth — InterventionsHow do you monitor the well-being of the baby during labor? Do you use occasional or continuous electronic fetal monitoring? Is a doppler (hand-held ultrasound device used to monitor your baby's heart) or a fetoscope (stethoscope for listening to your baby's heart) an option?
What are your usual policies and practices about:
What is your usual approach to a labor that is progressing slowly?
What percent of the time do you find it necessary to cut an episiotomy (a cut to enlarge the opening of the vagina just before birth)?
Care During Labor and Birth — Help with PainHow would you recommend that I prepare for managing pain during labor and birth?
What drug-free measures for pain relief are available in the setting where you practice?
What would happen if I decided that I want an epidural?
Are other pain medications an option?
Care During Labor and Birth — Complications and/or TransferWhat percentage of your clients have a cesarean section?
What problems or complications in labor would mean that a physician would become my primary maternity caregiver? What arrangements do you have for my care should I develop one of these complications or problems? Would you continue to have a role in my care? If birth setting is not a "Level 3" (most specialized) hospital: What facility would I go to in the case a transfer is necessary? How long would it take to get there? Are you certified in neonatal resuscitation? What kind of resuscitation equipment do you have? If birth setting is not a "Level 3" (most specialized) hospital: What hospital would my baby be taken to, in the case of an unforeseen complication? What is the procedure for transfer? Postpartum and Newborn careWhat is your approach to newborn care? What are the routine procedures with a healthy baby?How do your views about newborn care match with the routines and policies of the setting where you practice? Does the birth setting where you practice place any limits on the care you would like to give in the newborn period? How could we work together to ensure that breastfeeding gets off to a good start? Do you have special expertise in this area or work in collaboration with lactation consultants?
ReferralsMay I please have the names of some women who have recently received maternity care from you, for reference purposes?Most recent page update: 2/24/2006
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