What Questions Should I Ask a Midwife Before Hiring Her?
Birthstone Midwifery
Finding Your Midwife
What Questions Should I Ask
a Midwife Before Hiring Her?
Choosing a midwife is one of the most significant decisions of your pregnancy. The person you hire will be present on one of the most transformative days of your life — and the questions you ask before signing any contract reveal far more than credentials alone.
As a California Licensed Midwife, I welcome every question. Here are the ones I believe every family should ask — and what good answers look like.
Question 01
What are your credentials and how do I verify them?
Why it matters: Any midwife practicing legally in California should hold a Licensed Midwife (LM) license from the California Medical Board, verifiable at breeze.ca.gov. Many also hold the national CPM credential. A midwife who is hesitant to provide this information is a red flag. Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM license number is #784.
Question 02
How many births have you attended and how long have you been practicing?
Why it matters: Experience matters in birth. You want a midwife who has seen a range of situations and developed clinical judgment over time. Ask specifically about births as the primary midwife, not just as an assistant.
Question 03
What emergency equipment do you carry to every birth?
Why it matters: California Licensed Midwives are required by law to carry emergency equipment. A qualified midwife should be able to list oxygen, IV supplies, hemorrhage medications, and neonatal resuscitation equipment without hesitation. Vague answers here are a serious concern.
Question 04
What is your transfer rate and what are your most common reasons for transfer?
Why it matters: A midwife who claims she never transfers is not being honest with you. Transfer rates vary by practice population and candidacy screening. What you want to hear is an honest number and a clear explanation of the most common reasons — which should include things like prolonged labor and desire for pain medication, not catastrophic emergencies.
Question 05
Who is your backup midwife if you are unavailable when I go into labor?
Why it matters: Every midwife needs a credentialed backup. You should know who that person is before you are in labor. If a midwife does not have a backup plan, your birth is at risk if she has an emergency of her own.
Question 06
What does your prenatal care look like — how often do we meet and where?
Why it matters: The quality of your prenatal care directly affects your birth outcomes. You want regular, unhurried visits where your questions are genuinely answered. Ask whether visits are in your home, the midwife's office, or another location.
Question 07
What postpartum care is included and how many visits?
Why it matters: Postpartum care is often where families feel most abandoned by the traditional medical system. A good home birth midwife includes multiple postpartum home visits through at least six weeks. Know exactly what you are getting before you sign.
Question 08
What is your philosophy around informed consent and my right to decline procedures?
Why it matters: Your autonomy does not end when you hire a midwife. You want a provider who genuinely believes in informed consent — not one who uses the language of informed consent while still pressuring you toward their preferences.
Question 09
Can I speak with former clients as references?
Why it matters: Credentials and answers tell part of the story. The experiences of families she has served tell the rest. A confident, reputable midwife will readily provide references. A midwife who is reluctant or evasive about this warrants further scrutiny.
Question 10
What happens to my fee if I need to transfer to the hospital?
Why it matters: Financial policies in the event of transfer vary by practice. You deserve to know this before you are in a vulnerable situation. A reputable midwife has a clear, written policy you can review before signing any contract.
"The right midwife will welcome every single one of these questions. Hesitation or defensiveness is your signal to keep looking."
Beyond the Questions — What to Pay Attention To
After you have asked these questions, sit with how you felt during the conversation. Did she make eye contact and really listen? Did she give you full, unhurried answers or deflect? Did you feel like a person or like a checklist item? Did she talk about birth in a way that resonated with your values?
You will be raw and open during labor. The person with you matters just as much as what is on her resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start interviewing midwives?
As early as possible — ideally by 8–12 weeks of pregnancy. Midwives in the Temecula and Murrieta area book up quickly, especially for popular due date windows. Do not wait until your second trimester to begin your search.
How many midwives should I interview?
At least two or three. Even if the first consultation feels like a perfect fit, comparison gives you confidence in your decision and helps you recognize what you value most in a provider.
Is a free consultation standard for midwives?
Many midwives, including Birthstone Midwifery, offer a free initial consultation specifically so families can ask these questions before committing. If a midwife charges for an initial interview before you have any information about her, ask why.
Bring Every Question to Your Free Consultation
At Birthstone Midwifery, your free Midwifery Chat is designed exactly for this — ask everything on this list and anything else on your mind. There is no pressure and no sales pitch. Just honest answers.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →