How to Get a Midwife

A midwife can be a great resource for you when you're having a baby. Basically, your midwife is going to be your pregnancy coach. She will be there to help you make the right decisions while you're pregnant. Then, when the time comes, she will also help you deliver the baby. This means that you might not need the assistance of a medical doctor unless you have an overly complicated or difficult pregnancy. Taking your time to choose the right midwife can make having the baby easier for both you and your spouse.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a recommendation for a midwife from your gynecologist and obstetrician. You can also find midwives that are covered through your medical insurance by contacting the insurance company.

• 2

  Find out the credentials and experience of each midwife on your list. This can vary greatly. Nurse-midwives have experience as a midwife and also have a nursing degree. Direct-midwives do not have a nursing degree but may have more experience practicing midwifery outside of hospital settings. Midwives can also become certified as a Certified Professional Midwife, or CPM, although this is not required.

• 3

  Interview the midwives you're considering. It's very important that you and your spouse are completely comfortable with the midwife. Ask questions about each midwife's experience and credentials, but also spend some time getting to know each other. If your personalities click, you are more likely to have a positive experience with the midwife.

• 4

  Get references from the midwives you're considering. Follow up on these references. They can help you make a more informed decision. Ask the references about their experiences with the midwife, how professional and knowledgeable she seemed and whether or not they recommend her.