This comes up a lot these days during midwifery consultations, especially from first-time parents who are still weighing their options and aren’t sure what they want in a provider. A lot of people know that the Midwifery Model of Care is not the same as regular hospital care. But they don’t know if this means that all midwives are pretty much the same, or if there is more they should know to find a trustworthy provider.
There are some standard questions that you should be asking ANY care provider (midwife or not). Things like:
“How do you feel about using tools and other interventions in the work process? What is your view on this?”
“What does your team usually do right after giving birth to a baby, like skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, newborn exam, etc.?”
These are awesome questions to ask and a big part of what we talk about during our consults!
BUT there are also some questions that are very helpful and will help you narrow down your search so that you can be sure you choose a midwife and practice that is right for you:
Being a nurse midwife is an incredibly rewarding yet challenging career. As a nurse midwife you get to witness one of the most profound and emotional moments of a family’s life – the birth of a child. However it also carries immense responsibility as you are caring for both the mother and baby’s wellbeing.
Landing your dream nurse midwife role starts with a successful interview. During the interview process, you’ll need to demonstrate your clinical expertise along with your compassion and emotional intelligence. Employers want to ensure you have the hard and soft skills needed to handle high-pressure situations with care and professionalism.
To help you ace your upcoming nurse midwife interview I’ve compiled the 30 most common questions that are likely to be asked along with sample responses. Read on to learn how to master this pivotal step in your midwifery career journey!
1. Why did you decide to become a nurse midwife?
This introductory question aims to understand your motivations for pursuing this career. Share what drives your passion for this meaningful role. Focus on your desire to provide compassionate care and be a source of support for women and families during pregnancy and childbirth.
Sample Response: I was drawn to midwifery because of my passion for women’s health and the privilege of supporting families through pregnancy and childbirth. The opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with women and empower them during such a transformative time is incredibly rewarding. I believe in taking an integrative approach that values emotional wellbeing just as much as physical health. My goal is always to help create the best possible birth experience by providing evidence-based care with empathy and compassion.
2. What are your strengths that would make you an excellent nurse midwife?
This is your chance to highlight qualities and skills that make you the ideal candidate for this role. Share attributes that align with the duties of a nurse midwife.
Sample Response: I have strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills that enable me to develop trusting relationships with patients and provide compassionate care. I am also extremely organized and detail-oriented which improves my ability to track each patient’s needs and ensure continuity of care. Additionally, I am a quick thinker and problem-solver which helps me remain calm and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. My passion for women’s healthcare also drives me to constantly improve my clinical knowledge through continued education. These strengths make me well-equipped to handle the diverse responsibilities of a nurse midwife.
3. How does your nursing experience prepare you for a midwifery role?
With this question, the interviewer wants to understand how your nursing background translates to the specialized role of a midwife. Highlight skills gained through nursing experience that are applicable.
Sample Response: My nursing experience has equipped me with many of the key skills needed for midwifery. It’s helped me develop strong clinical assessment capabilities, medical knowledge, and the ability to respond swiftly in emergency scenarios. The hands-on patient care has also honed my capacity for empathy and compassion. Advocating for my patients’ needs as a nurse has prepared me to provide the patient-centered care that is integral to midwifery practice. I’m confident my nursing expertise combined with specialized midwifery training has fully prepared me to transition into this new role.
4. How do you typically handle situations where patients are anxious or scared?
Midwifery patients often feel vulnerable and scared, especially during labor and delivery. Interviewers want to know that you can alleviate worries and provide emotional support.
Sample Response: I always take anxious patients’ concerns seriously. I listen closely to understand the root of their fears, then offer education and reassurance. If anxiety persists, I explore options like relaxation techniques or counseling to help manage emotions. My goal is that no woman feels she must face pregnancy or birth alone. I aim to create an environment where patients feel safe voicing their feelings openly so we can tackle them together. This approach helps build trust while ensuring clinical care considers emotional wellbeing.
5. What experience do you have caring for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds?
Cultural awareness and sensitivity are essential for a nurse midwife. Share an example that demonstrates your ability to understand cultural factors impacting maternity care and adapt support appropriately.
Sample Response: Throughout my training and career, I’ve provided care for women from various cultural backgrounds. For example, I once cared for a patient who only spoke Spanish and had specific traditions around pregnancy rooted in her culture. I worked with our team’s interpreter services to ensure she could communicate her needs clearly. I also took time to research common beliefs and customs within her culture surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. This allowed me to provide culturally sensitive care and help ease her anxieties during the process. This experience demonstrated the importance of identifying potential cultural factors that may influence care and addressing them sensitively.
6. How would you handle a disagreement with a provider about a patient’s care?
Midwifery care sometimes requires advocating for the patient. This question tests your conflict management abilities and commitment to doing what’s best for the patient.
Sample Response: If a disagreement occurred, I would first hear the other provider’s perspective. I would then explain my stance, sticking to objective facts about the patient’s care needs. My goal would be finding common ground and a solution that prioritizes the patient’s health and wishes. If we cannot agree, I would request including the patient and a senior provider in the discussion. This ensures the patient understands what is happening and has a say in their care. My main priority is always providing care aligned with the patient’s values and goals.
7. How do you stay up to date on the latest best practices in midwifery?
Midwifery is an evolving field. Interviewers want to know that you are dedicated to continuously building your knowledge and skills.
Sample Response: I stay current on best practices through daily review of journals like the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. I also attend conferences and workshops on topics like new technologies impacting prenatal testing. Within my healthcare organization, I participate in evidence-based practice committees to help develop updated protocols. Networking with other midwives through professional associations also keeps me apprised of the latest research and innovations in our field. Pursuing these opportunities ensures I can apply new evidence-based techniques and provide the highest quality care.
8. What do you find most challenging about being a nurse midwife?
Don’t try to pretend there are no challenges. Candidly share a genuinely difficult aspect of the role and how you manage it. This demonstrates self-awareness and that you are prepared for realities of the job.
Sample Response: The most challenging yet rewarding aspect is managing high-risk or emergency situations. As much as you prepare, complicated deliveries can arise unexpectedly. In these high-stress moments, it is essential yet difficult to remain calm and focused. To handle this, I reflect after each emergency to review my actions and identify areas for improvement. I also lean on more experienced mentors for guidance in navigating challenging scenarios. This allows me to strengthen my skills and provide the best care possible even in difficult circumstances.
9. How would you educate a nervous patient about pregnancy, labor, and delivery?
Patient education is a core duty of a midwife. Share how you help patients understand and feel prepared for their pregnancy and birth experience.
Sample Response: I start by asking patients what they already know about the process and what specific concerns they have. This helps me provide education tailored to each patient’s knowledge level and fears. I use clear language, avoiding complex medical jargon. Visual aids and printed materials help information stick. I encourage questions, so patients feel involved. Classes on birth preparation, breastfeeding, and newborn care also empower patients with knowledge. My goal is for patients to feel supported, informed, and as comfortable as possible entering this new experience.
10. How would you help a patient whose religious or cultural beliefs conflict with standard medical advice?
Adaptability and sensitivity are key when beliefs clash with medical recommendations. Demonstrate how you navigate these scenarios.
Sample Response: In such situations, I aim to understand the patient’s perspective and explain the medical rationale clearly. I also suggest compromise solutions when possible. For example, if a patient’s culture calls for a practice that would be unsafe, we may be able to modify it to satisfy cultural traditions in a safer way. My priority is working with patients to align medical care with their beliefs as much as possible without jeopardizing health. This takes open-mindedness and creativity but results in patients feeling respected while still receiving quality care.
11. What is your philosophy on pain management during labor?
This question gauges your understanding of the physical and emotional factors impacting decisions around pain relief during labor.
Sample Response: My philosophy is that a patient’s autonomy should be respected regarding pain management. After discussing medical insights on options like epidurals, I empower patients to decide what is most comfortable for them. I also highlight non-pharmacological alternatives for those interested. Ultimately, the patient’s preferences and goals guide the pain management plan. However, if a patient changes their mind in the delivery room, I never dismiss their needs. Remaining adaptable and supportive throughout the experience is key.
12. How would you respond if a patient became dissatisfied with your care?
No midwife will please
What interventions/treatments/tools do you NOT use or have available?
For high-level care, like surgery for a cesarean section, all midwifery practices have to send you to an OB. However, some midwifery practices choose not to use certain interventions that other practices may have no problem using if needed. For example: Pitocin or other medications in case of hemorrhage, suturing, in-house lab work, hearing screening etc. As with anything else, each practice is different. Find out what they don’t offer or have access to and how they would handle a situation if it came up.
What is your transfer rate during labor?
This is a very important question, and the answer will change from year to year because most midwifery practices are not very big. Find out what their statistics for the last year or two have been. The research and literature shows that the overall transfer rate for out of hospital birth ranges from 9-13%. The vast majority of these transfers are NOT emergencies. On any given year a typical midwifery practice rate will be in the 10-15% range. If a practice has a higher transfer rate than 2020, it may mean that this practice is very cautious about sending people to home or birth center births. This is good information to know!.
MIDWIFE Interview Questions And Answers! (How To PASS a MIDWIFERY Interview)
What questions should you answer in a midwifery interview?
You should definitely know what you’d reply to these essential midwifery interview questions: What is the role of a midwife? Why do you want to be a midwife? How will you cope with the pressure of training and being a midwife? My Sample Answers: 1. What is the role of a midwife?
What questions do employers ask a nurse midwife?
Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique qualities and how they can benefit their organization. When answering, think of a specific skill or quality that you have that makes you stand out from other nurse midwives. Try to choose something that is relevant to the job description.
What do interviewers want from a midwife?
Emergencies and complications are inevitable in the world of childbirth, and as a midwife, your ability to handle them calmly, quickly, and effectively is critical. Interviewers want to know that you can think on your feet, make smart decisions under pressure, and prioritize patient safety and comfort above all else.
How do you answer a nurse interview question?
As a nurse, you may be required to have difficult conversations with patients and their families. An interviewer might ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you handle these challenging situations. In your answer, try to explain that you are empathetic and compassionate when having these types of conversations.
