When it comes to planning your birth, choosing where you will feel safe, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Many parents-to-be assume that once they’ve selected a hospital or midwife-led unit (MLU), they can relax, trusting that their chosen setting will automatically support their vision for birth. But what happens when policies, procedures, and staff attitudes don’t align with what you want?
This is why interviewing your hospital or MLU is essential. It ensures that you are not just picking a location but making an informed choice about the kind of care you will receive.
The Reality of Birth Settings in 2025
Historically, Midwife-Led Units were designed as spaces for low-risk births, led exclusively by midwives with minimal medical intervention. Many people choose MLUs because they want to avoid unnecessary interventions and experience a more natural/physiological birth. However, in recent years, these boundaries have started to blur.
Women who enter MLUs expecting a hands-off, midwife-supported experience are sometimes met with unexpected interventions. Doctors may be called in unnecessarily, continuous monitoring may be used more than expected, and medical policies may override a woman’s preferences. Even in hospitals, maternity guidelines and risk protocols can make women feel like they have little say in their own births.
Tips for Interviewing Your Birth Location
Here are a few tips to ensure a productive conversation:
- Tour the Space: Seeing the physical environment can give you insights into how well it fits your vision.
- Bring a List of Questions: This ensures you cover everything important and helps you stay focused.
- Document Responses: Take notes or ask if you can record the conversation so you can review the details later.
- Trust Your Intuition: If something feels off – whether it’s a policy, a response, or just the general vibe – listen to your instincts.
Key Questions to Ask
To protect your birth preferences and ensure you are choosing the right environment, here are some critical questions to ask when interviewing your birth setting:
1. Who Will Be Providing My Care?
- Will midwives be my primary caregivers, or do doctors sometimes step in?
- Under what circumstances would a doctor be called into the MLU?
2. What Are the Monitoring Practices?
- Is intermittent monitoring the standard, or is continuous monitoring routinely used?
- What happens if I refuse continuous monitoring?
3. What Is the Threshold for Interventions?
- What interventions do you routinely use here?
- Can I decline an intervention without pressure or coercion?
4. Will I Have the Freedom to Move and Choose My Birth Positions?
- Are birth pools, stools, or balls available, and are they encouraged?
- Will I be supported to birth upright, on all fours, or in water?
5. What Are the Emergency Protocols?
- If I need to be transferred to the labour ward, how long does it take?
- What is the procedure if I refuse a recommended intervention?
Why Asking These Questions Matters
Many women enter birth settings expecting one experience and receive something entirely different. This can be distressing and disempowering – especially if you assumed you were in a supportive space. Transparency is key. If a hospital or MLU is hesitant to answer your questions or gives vague responses, that’s a red flag.
Your birth space should be a place where you feel safe, respected, and heard – not where you have to fight for the kind of birth you want. By asking these questions ahead of time, you put yourself in the best position to make an informed choice and advocate for your needs.
Final Thoughts: Advocate for Your Birth
The reality is that you only have this birth once. Doing the inner work to clarify your values and boundaries, and then ensuring your chosen birth setting aligns with them, is one of the most important steps you can take.
If you’re looking for deeper guidance on preparing for an empowered birth, check out my online course, Discover Your North Star. It’s designed to help you clarify your birth vision, build confidence, and advocate for yourself every step of the way.