~Don’t make assumptions about practice style or philosophy based on  gender or type of practitioner.  You
cannot  assume that a woman will be sensitive, flexible, and non-interventive and a man will not. You cannot
assume all midwives and family physicians work from the midwifery model and all obstetricians follow the
obstetric model.  There are obstetricians who are excellent “midwives” and midwives who are obstetricians in
midwives’ clothing.

~Interview several caregivers.  If the name is based on a personal recommendation, ask what the
recommender liked about this practitioner because you may feel differently or have different priorities.  
Childbirth educators, professional labor support provider (doulas), and La Leche League often know which
local doctors and midwives work from the midwifery model.

~Ask open-ended questions.  Don’t give away your own opinions when you ask a question.  Examples of
open-ended phrasing include, “What is your approach to…” “When do you recommend…” “Why is it important
to…” and “What is your opinion of…”

~Follow up on vague answers.  Responses such as “I only do that when it is necessary” or “We’ll have to see
at the time” tell you nothing.  Continue with “How often do you find it necessary?” or “Under what circumstances
would _______ be inadvisable?”

~Ask yourself, “Am I getting facts or feelings?”  For example, if you ask about episiotomy and were told,
“Which would you rather have: a nice clean cut or a jagged tear?” you got feelings, not facts.  Compare that
answer with “I do them about 15% of the time in first-time mothers, and I don’t remember the last time I did one
on a mother who had already had a baby. I do them when the baby is in trouble right at the end or I may do one
as part of a forceps delivery.”  This statement is full of facts.

~Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable asking this person a ‘dumb’ question?”  Look elsewhere if the answer
is no.

~If your interview with this care provider leads you to think your have chosen the wrong caregiver, remember
that it is never too late to switch. And it is almost always better to switch than to fight at the labor or birth!




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