About Midwives
Questions to ask your midwife
These questions are aimed at helping you evaluate the credentials and standards of practice for your midwife. For more information about selecting a midwife, visit mymidwife.org
- What is your philosophy about cesarean section? Episiotomy? Forceps birth? Use of drugs and anesthesia?
- Do you require or recommend prenatal testing and sonograms?
- What role will my birth partner play?
- How much time do you allot to each prenatal visit, and how long is a typical wait in the anteroom?
- Do you have a college degree?
- Did you graduate from a nationally accredited midwifery education program?
- Did your midwifery education require preparation in core sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, epidemiology/statistics, pathophysiology, and nutrition?
- Are you licensed to practice?
- How will you determine if I am an appropriate candidate for midwifery care and what will happen if I need the care of a physician?
- Are you prepared to provide well-woman and gynecological care, including screening for common health problems and writing prescriptions?
- Have you passed a national certification examination?
- Are you certified by the ACNM Certification Council?