Choosing your Midwife

Midwives who offer and assist with home births specialice in natural and water birth. They offer friendly, individualised care in a atmosphere that is unhurried and informal.

A Registered Midwife in South Africa is someone with a diploma or degree in midwifery. They may have obtained further qualifications such as a diploma in advanced midwifery. There are some midwifes in South Africa who have obtained their qualifications abroad as well.

They need to be registered with the South African Nursing Council every year as a professional Midwife.
She also needs to be registered as a Private Nurse Practitioner with a practice number.

During your pregnancy, they will monitor the mothers vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperate. The will also follow and monitor the growth of the baby and monitor the baby’s heartbeat. Your care under a midwife is a good as with an obsterician. You will be able to ask her all the questions that you need to ask.
Most of the private midwives also teach ante-natal classes which you will be able to attend with your partner.

Private midwifes offer home births,  water births and births at birth units.

Questions that you need to ask your Midwife:

• Can I have a reference from one of your previous home delivery moms?
• Will you allow me to follow my birth plan as long as there are no complications?
• What geographical area do you cover?
• What are your fees?
• Do you have the equipment that is needed during an emergency?
• What are you restrictions on who can birth at home?

Find out from your medical aid to what degree they cover the fees of the midwife and the home delivery.
If you are planning a water birth, arrange the rental of the pool as soon as possible.

Check our list of Midwives in Private practice.