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It’s the best way to find out if we’re a good fit for each other!
Let’s grab a cup of tea and chat about what you’re looking for and my approach to midwifery care.
Both in-person and virtual consultations are available, and scheduling is as easy as picking a time from my calendar below.
What to Expect During a Midwife Consultation
If you’re considering homebirth for the first time, you probably have questions—lots of them. Or maybe you just have a feeling that this is the right path for you but aren’t sure what to ask yet. Either way, a midwife consultation is the perfect place to start.
This is your time to sit down with me, ask anything that’s on your mind, and get a feel for whether we’re a good fit. The relationship between a midwife and a family is deeply personal, and finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with matters just as much as the clinical side of care.
Some parents come with a list of questions (I’ve shared a list below if you need a place to start), while others don’t have any at all—and that’s okay. If you’re not sure what to ask, I’ll walk you through what midwifery care with me looks like, and questions often come up naturally as we talk. There are no silly questions here. If you’re wondering about something, chances are someone else has asked the same thing before you.
If you’ve given birth before, I’ll ask about your previous experiences. If this is your first time considering homebirth, I’d love to hear what’s drawing you to it. These conversations tend to flow in the most beautiful, unexpected ways.
There’s absolutely no pressure to decide on the spot. Most families take time to reflect and reach out later when they’re ready.
Ready to set up a consultation? You can book directly using the scheduler above. If you have a few questions before scheduling, feel free to submit a contact form, and I’ll be happy to chat.
Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Midwife
If you’re new to midwifery care, you might be wondering: What questions should I even be asking? This comes up often during consultations, especially with first-time parents who are still exploring their options. Many people know that midwifery care is different from hospital-based care but aren’t sure exactly how— or if all midwives practice the same way. The truth is, midwives have unique styles, approaches, and training, so asking the right questions can help you find a provider you truly connect with and trust.
Regardless of whether you’re interviewing a midwife, OB, or another care provider, there are some foundational questions you should ask:
– What is your c-section rate?
– How do you approach the use of interventions and tools during labor? What is your philosophy?
– What do the moments immediately after baby is born typically look like? [Skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, golden hour, newborn exam, etc.)
These are all topics we cover during consultations, and they’re an important part of understanding your provider’s approach to birth.
Beyond the basics, there are some key questions that can help you find a midwife who is the right fit for you and your family:
Do you practice as a solo midwife or as part of a team?
Some midwives attend births alone with a trained assistant, while others (like me) always have a second fully-trained midwife present at every birth. Some work in group practices where you rotate through providers but can’t choose who will attend your birth. Ask about backup plans in case your midwife is at another birth when you go into labor.
What kind of training did you receive?
Midwives come from a variety of educational backgrounds—traditional apprenticeships, formal degree programs, nurse-midwifery training, and more. Each path has its strengths, so ask about their training and why they chose that route.
How long have you been a midwife, and in what settings?
Experience isn’t just about the number of years someone has practiced—it’s also about volume and setting. A midwife with decades of experience but very few births may not be as seasoned as someone with fewer years but a high volume of births. The level of experience you are comfortable with will depend on your specific situation and needs.
Why did you become a midwife?
Midwifery isn’t a career people choose for the money or job security—it’s a calling. Many midwives have stories about their first experiences with birth and midwifery and why they felt the pull toward this particular profession. Learning about this “origin story” can give you insight into the values and goals your midwife has, and these will definitely affluence her practice style!
Do you have experience working with clients like me?
If you have specific cultural, religious, health, or personal considerations, ask if your midwife has experience supporting families like yours. If not, are they open to learning and advocating for your needs?
How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
Find our how much communication your midwife usually has with her clients! Does she text? Use an online portal? Does she prefer phone calls or emails? Do you have access to her outside of appointment times? Most midwives are easily accessible when something serious is going on (i.e. labor, bleeding etc), but what about those lesser concerns (like what brand of supplement to take, muscle strains in pregnancy, type of pads to get for postpartum etc). Find out how she prefers to talk about these things!
What is your philosophy on doula support?
This can be a very telling question for midwives! It allows them to explain the kind of care they provide and explain the different skills that a doula might be able offer you. If your midwife doesn’t feel that doulas are important or valuable in addition to midwifery care it can mean that they either:
1. Have a very hands-on approach to labor, and plan to be very invested in providing physical and emotional comfort as well as medical care or
2. Do not like feeling challenged by the presence of another support person or care provider who may witness their care, disagree with them, or offer you alternative suggestions. This could be a red flag!
What is your episiotomy rate?
I wish I could say that midwives never cut episiotomies. I wish I could say they were never necessary. But sometimes they are! The important thing here is not to accept the pat answer of “it’s very low” or “we only do it in case of emergencies.” Both of these may be true – but there are no standardized guidelines on when an episiotomy is actually indicated (it varies by provider and relies largely on their gut feeling during the birth on whether or not it’s necessary). So find out how often your midwife gets that gut feeling and believes it to be necessary!
What tools, medications, or interventions do you use in an emergency?
Some midwifery practices lean more toward the use of traditional/herbal practices when managing labor complications, while others lean more toward the use of modern pharmaceuticals and labor interventions. Many midwifery practices (like mine!) fall somewhere in the middle, with their own unique blend of traditional midwife art and modern medicine. Find out what tools your midwife prefers, has available and is trained to use.
What interventions/treatments/tools do you NOT use or have available?
All midwifery practices will have to transfer you to an OB for high-level care (such as surgery for a cesarean section), but some midwifery practices choose not to use certain interventions that other practices may have no problems utilizing if necessary. For example: Pitocin or other medications in case of hemorrhage, suturing, in-house lab work, hearing screening etc. Every practice is unique! Ask about the specific things that they do NOT offer or have access to, and how they would manage the situation if the need arises.
What is your labor transfer rate?
How often do people need to transition to the hospital? This is an important question! And the answer will vary year to year, since most midwifery practices are not very large. Find out what their statistics for the last year or two have been. The research and literature shows that the overall transfer rate for out of hospital birth ranges from 9-13%. The vast majority of these transfers are NOT emergencies. On any given year a typical midwifery practice rate will be in the 10-15% range. If a practice has a greater than 20% transfer rate, it may mean that this practice is especially conservative in risking people out for home or birth center birth. This is good information to know!
What is your protocol for non-emergency transfers to the hospital? For emergency transfers?
Find out how this process looks different in an emergent versus non-emergent situation. Does the midwife go with you to the hospital? Do they stay or does an assistant stay with you? What does follow up care look like? This is great information to know when selecting a midwifery practice, and it will also give you a sense of how your midwife will approach emotionally/physically intense situations with you in labor. Is she dismissive of your concerns? Is she confident? Can she give you specific data or research to back up her claims? Does she answer your question or deflect?
What hospitals/care providers have you had positive experiences with?
A good midwife doesn’t have to be best friends with every OB, but if they have zero positive experiences with local hospitals or providers, it may be a red flag. While midwives have NO CONTROL how the hospital staff treat their patients, transfer experiences are often much better when the care providers have developed a trusting relationship and have previously worked together well.
Are there any additional costs beyond your global fee?
Most midwives offer a flat fee for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, but there may be additional costs for things like ultrasounds, lab work, birth supplies, or newborn screenings. It’s best to know ahead of time.
Ready to Book a Consultation?
You can book directly using the scheduler below. If you have a few questions before scheduling, feel free to submit a contact form, and I’ll be happy to chat.