51 Questions to Ask Your Home Birth Midwife

Yay! You're pregnant.   You want to have a home birth. You called the home birth midwife for more information but you are clueless on what to ask.  Most home birth midwives are open to a consultation appointment with you instead of a cold. call. Choosing a home birth midwife is an important decision. These questions can help families learn about a midwife's education, experience, philosophy, clinical practices, emergency planning, and approach to informed decision-making.

Education, Training & Experience

1. What type of midwife are you, and what credentials or certifications do you hold?
2. Where and how did you receive your midwifery education and clinical training?
3. How long have you been practicing as a midwife?
4. Approximately how many births have you attended?
5. How many births have you attended as the primary midwife?
6. What continuing education or certifications do you maintain?
7. Are you currently certified in CPR and neonatal resuscitation?
8. Are you licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise regulated in this state? What does that mean for my care?
9. Do you carry professional liability or malpractice insurance?
10. Do you work independently, with another midwife, or as part of a birth team?

Philosophy & Approach to Care

1. How would you describe your philosophy of pregnancy and birth?
2. What does informed consent and informed refusal look like in your practice?
3. How do you involve clients and families in decisions about their care?
4. How do you support cultural, spiritual, or family traditions surrounding pregnancy and birth?
5. How do you approach clients whose preferences differ from your recommendations?
6. What are your thoughts about eating, drinking, and movement during labor?
7. What birth positions do you commonly support?
8. How do you support clients who want a low-intervention birth?
9. How do you support clients who become anxious or fearful during pregnancy or labor?
10. How do you protect privacy, dignity, and confidentiality during care?

Prenatal Care

1. How often will I have prenatal visits?
2. How long is a typical prenatal appointment?
3. What happens during a typical prenatal visit?
4. What laboratory tests and screenings do you routinely recommend?
5. Which tests or procedures are optional, and how will you explain their benefits, risks, and alternatives?
6. How do you monitor my health and my baby's growth and well-being?
7. What pregnancy conditions might make someone ineligible for home birth in your practice?
8. How do you approach nutrition, supplements, herbs, and complementary therapies during pregnancy?
9. What childbirth education or preparation do you recommend?
10. How can I contact you when I have an urgent concern between appointments?

Labor & Home Birth

1. When should I call you when I think labor has started?
2. When do you typically come to the home during labor?
3. Who will attend my birth with you?
4. Will I meet your assistants or backup midwives before labor?
5. What equipment, medications, and emergency supplies do you bring to a home birth?
6. How do you monitor the baby's heart rate during labor?
7. How do you monitor the birthing parent's vital signs and overall condition?
8. What comfort measures do you offer or recommend for labor?
9. Do you attend water births, and if so, what guidelines do you use?
10. How long do you typically remain in the home after the baby is born?

Complications, Emergencies & Hospital Transfer

1. What complications are you trained and equipped to manage at home?
2. What emergency medications do you carry, and what situations might require them?
3. How are you prepared to manage postpartum hemorrhage?
4. How are you prepared to provide newborn resuscitation if a baby needs help breathing?
5. What situations would cause you to recommend transferring to a hospital during labor?
6. What is your plan for a non-emergency versus an emergency hospital transfer?
7. Which hospital would we usually transfer to, and how is that decision made?
8. If I transfer to the hospital, will you come with me or continue supporting me?

Postpartum, Newborn Care & Follow-Up

1. What postpartum and newborn care do you provide during the first hours, days, and weeks after birth?
2. What is included in your fee, what services cost extra, and what happens financially if I transfer to the hospital or do not ultimately give birth at home?
3. Do you provide lactation services or have a contact of others that might do that type of care?