adapted from the book "HOMEWORKS: Giving Birth at Home with a Midwife" by Valerie Morris

Here's a little test to evaluate her skills and experience:

1. How many years have you been in practice as a primary midwife?

• 0 - Less than two.
• 1 - Two to five years.
• 2 - More than five years.

2. At how many births have you been the primary midwife?

• 0 - Less than 25.
• 1 - 25 to 100.
• 2 - More than 100.

3. How many births do you attend each month?

• 0 - One or less.
• 1 - More than six.
• 2 - Two to six.

4. Have you acquired any kind of midwifery certification or licensure from any State agency or midwifery organization?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - Not yet, but I am working on it.
• 2 - Yes (______________________).

5. Do you provide complete prenatal care?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - I see you several times during your pregnancy.
• 2 - I require a regular schedule of prenatal care.

6. Are you able to provide any necessary lab work?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - I can refer you to others who will do it.
• 2 - I work directly with a medical lab.

7. Have you dealt with such emergencies as shoulder dystocia, umbilical cord prolapse, postpartum hemorrhage, and shock?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - I have assisted in dealing with those complications.
• 2 - I have dealt with those complications on several occasions.

8. Are you experienced with neonatal resuscitation and do you carry oxygen and an ambu-bag?

• 0 - No. What's an ambu-bag?
• 1 - I am trained in infant CPR and I use mouth to mouth resuscitation.
• 2 - Yes, I am currently certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and carry all necessary equipment to provide this to your baby.

9. What kind of back-up arrangements do you have if a transport to a hospital is needed for me or my baby?

• 0 - None/nearest emergency room.
• 1 - I have formal protocols with a physician/hospital.
• 2 - I can give you the names of physicians who seem willing to assist families planning home births.

10. Do you provide complete postpartum care?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - I come back after the birth if there is a problem.
• 2 - I require a regular schedule of postpartum visits.

11. Will you help me with registering my birth with the proper authorities?

• 0 - No.
• 1 - I will tell you what is required, but prefer my name not be on the certificate.
• 2 - I will file the birth certificate for you.

SCORING:

0 to 6 points - this midwife probably needs more training and experience.

7 to 15 points - This midwife may be very good, but look carefully at the areas where she scores 0 or 1 point.

16 to 22 points - This midwife is probably competent to practice as a primary attendant.

OTHER THINGS YOU WILL WANT TO KNOW…

• What kind of equipment will you bring with you to births?
• Do you have an assistant? How much training does she have?
• What will you do if I have a tear that needs to be sutured?
• Can you do the newborn metabolic screen for us?
• What happens if I bleed too much after the birth?
• What will you do if two women are delivering at the same time?
• When will you come to the house when I am in labor?
• Do you use a Doppler or a fetoscope? Why?
• If I have to go to the hospital, will you stay with me and explain that you are my midwife and help with the transfer of care?
• Do you do postpartum visits after a hospital transfer?
• Do you enjoy working with a doula? Why or why not?
• Can you give me the names of a midwife and a client who would give you a reference?

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