If you’re wondering how to find a midwife or doula, you might start with learning about the services they offer and how they differ from OB-GYNs and other providers, which we covered in this piece.
As the idea of so-called natural births, or low-intervention births, has taken hold, the demand for midwives, as well as doulas, is on the rise. Midwives believe that birth is a physiological process, and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are also medically educated and deliver in hospitals, which can make them great providers for women with low-risk pregnancies.
Learning how to find a midwife or doula is similar to finding other medical professionals or service providers. But it should come down to what you need during your pregnancy. Word of mouth can be a powerful reference, but you can also go online to find possible candidates, get to know potential midwives, and choose the best one for you.
Here are some tips on how to find a midwife or doula.
First, what’s the difference between midwives and doulas and OB-GYNs?
This is a common question among women considering a more natural or holistic pregnancy or who just want to limit interventions. Although midwives, doulas, and OB-GYNs each provide valuable support to pregnant women, they tend to have different backgrounds and offer different kinds of support. It’s also not uncommon for these professionals to partner with each other to deliver the best outcomes for moms and babies.
But back to midwives. A midwife is a certified medical professional who has been trained to deliver babies. They can also support ongoing gynecologic health. If you’re considering a midwife, this would be in place of an OB-GYN to deliver your baby and monitor your health. Midwives can help you prepare for and actually deliver your baby. They can keep an eye on your vital signs and monitor your baby’s health before, during, and after giving birth.
If you decide to find a midwife for your pregnancy, it’s important to choose a licensed, certified midwife.
Although certifications vary from state to state, there are three main types of certified midwives. Some states require nurse-midwives to be certified by the state and further require that they be under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner in a healthcare facility or in an authorized setting—in other words, they don’t permit home births.
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM): A certified nurse-midwife has gone through the same training as registered nurses. On top of their nursing training, CNMs are certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. They can see patients and can prescribe medication, similar to how a nurse practitioner operates in the primary care setting.
- Most CNMs work at hospitals (32.7 percent) or physician practices (30.5 percent) and don’t attend home births. They can integrate the midwifery model of care into your birth while providing the support and safety that a medical facility provides.
- Many women choose this approach because they want to pursue less intervention but have the security and support of a hospital in the event additional medical support is necessary, particularly given that birth outcomes can’t be predicted.
There are two other types of midwives, both of whom receive certification but lack the medical training that a CNM has:
- Certified Professional Midwives (CPM): Unlike a CNM, these midwives have not completed any nursing school and cannot prescribe medication. However, professional CPMs must have licensing from an accredited midwifery program. CPMs don’t need a college degree.
- Certified Midwives (CM): These midwives must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a related science or medicine field. They are also required to complete an accredited midwifery program and pass a national licensing exam.
Consider your pregnancy needs
The first step for how to find a midwife or doula is to consider your wants and needs.
For example, it’s important to consider your medical history and needs. If, for example, you have a high-risk pregnancy, a midwife might instead refer you to a medical doctor. Some midwife practices likewise partner with doctors’ groups so they have partners should anything happen in the birth that requires a doctor, such as an emergency C-section. Think about what kind of policies and safety net would make you most comfortable.
At the same time that you’re thinking about birth settings, you may also consider the reputation of a midwife practice as a whole. Remember that while you’ll see your midwife more than other members of his or her practice, you will see other associated providers—and they may be the ones on call when you actually go into labor. It is therefore important to be comfortable not only with your individual provider but also with her peers—and the rules of the road of their practice and the birth setting where they deliver.
Remember, too, that regardless of your hospital or other birth setting, or whether you choose to work with an OB-GYN or midwife, doulas can also support you and your birth goals. While many doulas specialize in helping advocate for a low-intervention birth, many are also experts at creating empowering environments during C-sections or other high-risk births.
Ask your community
To find a midwife, you can start by getting recommendations from your community. Talk to other mothers you may know, as well as your current OB-GYN. Referrals from trusted sources will help you make a decision about the best midwives. But remember to focus on the best midwife for you: Understanding why a friend or family member felt her midwife was a good fit can help you understand whether they might be a good one for you, too.
Explore online referrals
You can also go online to find a midwife or doula in your area. If you’re ready to find a midwife, check out our online directory.
Interview potential candidates
After you have a list of potential candidates, schedule an appointment with each midwife. Come prepared with any questions or concerns you may have. Ask each candidate about their background and experience. You can also ask for personal references.
Interview questions to help find a midwife
Questions to ask include:
- What is your licensing?
- Do you accept insurance? What are your out-of-pocket fees? What payment plans do you offer?
- Are you available during my due date? Do you have vacations planned around that time?
- How many years have you been practicing?
- How many babies do you deliver on average annually?
- How often will I have appointments scheduled?
- What are some reasons you might refer me to a medical doctor?
- If I did need to be referred out, how would that work? Are you affiliated with any medical practices? Do you have personal relationships with any particular physicians?
- How far past my due date do your policies permit?
- Do you test for GBS+? What is the course of treatment if a mom is positive?
- What percent of your patients end up with:
- Epidural
- Episiotomy
- Forceps or vacuum extraction
- C-section
- Do you do VBACs? What is your success rate?
- Which hospital(s) are you approved for working in in case of an emergency?
- Do you have experience with postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, breech baby, or cord prolapse? How do you handle each of those situations?
- Have you completed training in neonatal resuscitation?
- Have you ever lost a baby or mother during a delivery?
Midwives will be important figures in your pregnancy. Make sure you choose the right one. Talk to each potential midwife or doula to determine if their approach to pregnancy mirrors the path you want. For example, if you want to use a birthing tub, make sure they have experience with this.
By following these tips for how to find a midwife or doula, you’ll be able to ensure you have the best birthing experience for you and your baby.