Choosing a midwife is one of the biggest decisions of your pregnancy. She guides your prenatal care, supports you through labour and checks on you and your baby after the birth. The right questions to ask a midwife help you compare options and book with confidence. Take this list to every consultation and write down the answers.
1. Questions About Registration and Experience
- Are you registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a midwife?
- How many years have you practised as a midwife?
- How many births do you attend in a typical month?
- Have you attended home births, birth centre births or both?
- Who assists you at births, and what training do they have?
- Who covers for you if you are at another birth when I go into labour?
Check registration yourself. The SANC eRegister lets anyone verify the registration status of a nurse or midwife online. If a name does not appear, call the SANC Help Desk on (012) 420-1000 to confirm.
2. Questions About Prenatal Care
- From which week do you start seeing me?
- How many prenatal visits will I have, and how long is each one?
- Which scans and blood tests do you arrange, and where are they done?
- What do you check at each visit?
- How do I reach you between visits if I have a concern?
A good midwife gives you a clear visit schedule from the start. Our guide to your first midwife visit at PMBcare shows what that looks like.
3. Questions About Safety and Emergencies
These are the most important questions on the list. A confident, specific answer is a good sign.
- Which conditions would make you refer me to a doctor or hospital?
- Which hospital do you transfer to, and how long does the trip take from my home?
- What happens if a complication starts during labour?
- What equipment do you bring to monitor me and my baby?
- Are you trained in newborn resuscitation?
- How often do you check my baby’s heartbeat during labour?
In South Africa, a registered midwife must refer you to a medical practitioner when any complication falls outside normal pregnancy, labour or postpartum care. Ask how she applies this rule in practice. If you are planning a home birth, read our guide on who is a good candidate for a home birth before your consultation.
4. Questions About Labour and Birth
- Where can I give birth with you: at home, at your birth centre or both?
- Which drug-free pain relief methods do you use?
- Can I move freely and choose my birth position?
- Do you offer water birth?
- Will you help me write a birth plan, and how do you handle changes to it?
- How many support people can be present?
- When should I call you once labour starts?
- How long do you stay after my baby is born?
For the call question, compare her answer with our guide on when to call your midwife in labour.
5. Questions About Costs and Payment
- What is the total fee, and what does it include?
- Are prenatal visits included or charged separately?
- Is there a payment plan, and when is each payment due?
- Are there extra fees for night callouts, emergency visits or postnatal visits?
- What happens to my payment if I need a hospital transfer?
- Can I claim from my medical aid?
Ask for the full price list in writing. At PMBcare, every fee is published upfront. See our natural birth package costs for the full breakdown.
6. Questions About Care After the Birth
- How many postnatal visits do I get, and when?
- Do you check my baby’s weight, feeding and jaundice?
- Do you help with breastfeeding?
- Which signs in me or my baby should make me call you after the birth?
- Which documents do you give me to register my baby’s birth?
South African law requires you to register your baby’s birth at Home Affairs within 30 days, so confirm early what paperwork your midwife provides. Read more about postpartum care after a home birth.
Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away, or ask more questions, if a midwife:
- Cannot show proof of SANC registration
- Avoids talking about hospital transfer or says she never needs one
- Promises that nothing will go wrong
- Gives vague or changing prices
- Rushes your consultation or dismisses your concerns
- Has no backup plan if she is unavailable
Visit the Space Before You Decide
If you plan to give birth at a birth centre, ask for a tour. Look at the birth rooms, bathrooms and equipment, and check how clean and calm the space feels. Here is a look inside PMBcare in Fordsburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I interview more than one midwife?
Yes, if you can. Comparing two or three answers to the same questions shows you who explains things clearly and who fits your birth wishes.
When should I start looking for a midwife?
Start in your first trimester. This gives you time to compare options and book before your prenatal visits begin. Our guide on when to hire a midwife or doula covers timing in detail.
Can I switch midwives during pregnancy?
Yes. Ask for copies of your records so your new midwife has your full history. Check the cancellation and refund terms of your current provider first.
Bring Your Questions to PMBcare
Sister Salaminah Dikeledi Mhlanga has over 20 years of midwifery experience and welcomes every question on this list. Bring it to your consultation and get clear answers before you commit. Book your consultation, call 060 830 7432 or WhatsApp wa.me/27608307432.