Questions to ask

What is your personal birth philosophy?
 
Have you worked with families like mine/ours in the past?
 
Are you certified/licensed?
 
What is your scope of practice?
 
How many births and how long have you been practicing?
 
What is your availability? Phone/pager/day of night?
 
Will you come to us for appointments?
 
What is your fee? What does that include?
 
What is your role during early labor?
 
What should I/we expect at each visit?
 
Do you have back-up, just in case?
 
How does my partner’s role fit into the birth?
 
What are your expectations of us/me?
 
Who manages my/our birth?
 
Will you advocate for me/us in the hospital, if applicable?
 
Do you go with us if we need to transport to the hospital in labor?
 
What optional services do you provide?
 
Do you practice legally?
 
Who does the birth certificate/SS card?
 
What new baby care is included?
 
Note: You have the right to be supported in your birth and your birth choices. If you have chosen your care-giver carefully, they will support you and your choices. If you are birthing in a hospital, you may think that you are stuck with whatever nurse you get. This is NOT true. You have the RIGHT to ask for a different nurse if he/she is rude or does not fit with your philosophy. If they are understaffed and do not have another nurse, you may ask for one to be pulled from another floor. You have the right! And hold the responsibility to ask for it.