How soon should I start interviewing midwives?

[Earthylove]

Hi ladies!

My DH and I are about to start ttc #1 and we would really like to have a natural birth experience. Ideally a home birth or possibly a birth center birth. There are 2 birth centers in the area that I know of and there are also a handful of midwives who will do home births. I have in mind who I want for my doula already, but I'm just wondering how soon I should start interviewing people so I can have someone to receive care from during the pregnancy and who will be available to attend the birth. I hear you have to find someone soon because they only take so many new patients and things can fill up fast.

What do you guys advise and when were you all able to decide on a midwife?
Thanks!

 

[tankel]

All of the (good) midwives in my area would not do interviews until I was 12 wks but I also found out that my top 2 choices were not available for my due date because they were both traveling. I suggest that you contact any mw that you are interested in and ask them when the best time is to meet with them once you are pregnant.

 

[minties]

You interview and choose your own midwife in New Zealand, I sought a midwife as soon as I got my positive tests with my children. So about 4 weeks pregnant each time.

 

[Earthylove]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I really appreciate it. I think what I'll do is contact the midwives I'm interested in when I find out I'm pregnant and see what they say and go from there. I had a hard time finding info on google when I tried searching about this
So you've been helpful.