Finding a provider can be hard. You can ask friends, family, google or other search engines, and social media. You need to find someone who is not afraid of homebirth. Who will support you and comfort you the way you need. If there is any gut feeling of tension or insecurity with that person, discuss it with them and if that does not resolve, find another provider. Keep in mind that some countries/regions have very strict guidelines on what is considered a low risk pregnancy, and under certain conditions this assessment may make it difficult or impossible for you to remain in their care. Your care provider will be able to tell you if you are considered a low risk pregnancy.

Once you have done your research through friends, family and online, make a list of all your prospective providers. Don’t forget to look at Family Practioners, Naturopathic Doctors, Certified Professional Midwives, Direct Entry Midwives, OB/GYN’s, and Certified Nurse Midwives (not all of these options are available in all areas).

Your best bet is to call and see if they will do a free meet and greet appointment. Most should although if you are going through a family practitioner or OB/GYN you may have to pay for the office visit (although many are covered and you will only have to pay your co-payment.). Make a list of questions to ask your prospective providers.  Some midwives do take insurance and some don’t, and many will offer different payment plans. Believe it or not, some will let you pay in installments or even let you trade services with them for payment in finances are an issue. Choosing your care provider is a personal decision that you really should weigh carefully against your personal feelings and those of your partners. You want to feel comfortable with the provider and feel like they are working for you through the enitre pregnancy, birth and after care. 

Questions to ask:

• Transports/Transfer rate (how often a laboring woman is transferred to the hospital)
• Reasons for transport
• Episiotomy rate (a surgical cut into the perineum to help avoid tearing)
• Cesarean Section Rate within transports
• Are Doula’s allowed/welcomed
• Waterbirth ability
• Postions for delivering
• Pain Relief Options
• Medications/Oxygen for hemorrage or resuscitation efforts
• Co-Care with an Obstetrician
• Back-up care
• Twin or other multiples, Breech, VBAC options
• Breastfeeding support
• What will risk me out of a homebirth?
• How do you handle transfer of care if risked out?

Here is a comprehensive list of questions to ask your care provider.

At this point, you can decide to go with a care provider or whether a Unassisted Birth is right for you. Once again this is a very personal choice, that will take much consideration and thought.

Go back to: Step #1: Is Home Birth Right for You?

Go ahead to: Step #3: What If My Partner/Family Disagree With Home Birth?

Go to: Birthing Methods Main Menu