A certified nurse midwife, or CNM, offers an alternative health-care option for delivering your baby. Beyond childbirth, a CNM is able to perform your routine checkups, family planning, prenatal care and postpartum care, according to BabyCenter. Like a physician, choosing a certified nurse midwife requires you to do your research and identify your needs for gynecological care. While all nurse midwives must be certified, you will find that you click better with some midwifes rather than others.
Step 1
Call your health insurance company to see whether they cover the services of nurse midwives. Ask for a list of preferred providers to make sure your maternity care is covered.
Step 2
Write a list of the qualifications and personality traits that you want from your nurse midwife. Consider whether you want a midwife with a gentle personality or more of a take-charge attitude, for example. Decide whether you are willing to use a nurse midwife who is relatively new, or only want one who has helped with dozens of births. Refer to this list as you narrow down your options.
Step 3
Write a description of your ideal birthing experience. Include the things that are important to you, such as avoiding medical interventions, birthing in water or waiting to cut the umbilical cord. Use these preferences as a basis for interviewing potential midwives.
Step 4
Ask other mothers whether they used a nurse midwife or have any recommendations. Ask them how they felt about the experience and how the midwife responded to their preferences and concerns.
Step 5
Call your preferred hospital or birthing center and ask for a list of midwives who deliver babies there.
Step 6
Compile the recommendations you receive into a master list of potential midwives. Rule out any midwives whose offices are too far away or who are not covered on your health-insurance plan.
Step 7
Call the remaining midwives to ask for a consultation. Meet with the midwives to get a sense of how you will get along with them. Note how each midwife treats you and listens to your concerns.
Step 8
Ask each midwife questions about birthing issues that are important to you. Include things such as her philosophy on childbirth, interventions, bonding with the baby and recovery.
Step 9
Ask whether the midwife is willing and able to attend the birth in your desired location, whether that is a hospital, birthing center or home.
