How to choose your midwife?

This is my first pregnancy and I'm unsure what I want from a MW and what I sort of questions I need to be asking?

To make matters a little more difficult, I currently live in the Manawatu and DH and I will be relocating to Auckland before I'm due, will be finding a MW mostly by telephone etc.

Does anyone have a check list or similar for finding someone.

I'll be living in Hobosonville so looking for someone out west.

What stacey said

You have to be comfortable "bothering" them when you have concerns, and they will be the person you depend on at your most vulnerable. You have to know they support your wishes and that they'll go into bat for you if need be. The Ob suggested a caesar when I arrived at hospital after my transfer from home and the MW negotiated some leeway for me, and sure enough, I dilated in that time and avoided the caesar. It was nice that she didn't even have to ask me what I wanted (cos at the time, I might have caved and agreed, although I would have regretted it later), she just took the ob outside and discussed it.

Also things like BF/FF if you have strong views on it, homeopathy, how long she'll let you go overdue etc.

But mostly, do you like them and do you feel safe with them?

You could maybe use the hospital MW in Palmy until you move too?

GPs will usually only do care until 12 weeks unless they're a LMC (and very few are).

Yep, you need to book with the hospital MWs.

Also check what their caseload is like for when you are due - you dont want someone who will be too busy to give you the time you need.

Better get onto it quick - midwives are in short supply! I got mine at 10 weeks, and could only just find one they were so busy.

I have quite a bit, not so much in the beginning but certainly later on especially if you or bubs has issues. Its not all about the birth. If issues come up at anytime during pregnancy you really want a MW who will go into bat for you and be proactive. I've had one MW who did this, one who failed miserably so I've learnt how important that is.

Its tricky hun, you will be in two different places.. early on you dont see them much and if all is going well with the pg then you will see them 13-15 times before birth.. even with monitoring I still didnt see my mw more often as i was seeing hospital specialist instead....

What you do while you are there now is the tricky bit, definately get in contact with Westie mw's and explain your situation... otherwise you may find due to the split care you may have to go with the hospital team... thats not a bad thing, they are just as good

Unfortunately it may come down to money.. I hate to say it but because you wont be with the same mw for the entire pg they wont get the full fee and that may put some off...

GL hun!!!!