---
title: Searching for a Midwife
date: 2022-11-11T21:37:43-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-searching-for-a-midwife"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Searching for a Midwife

L talks about her process preparing to give birth, noting how her experience in the US differed from her experience in Paris. She discusses finding a midwife and adapting her birth plans based on US restrictions. Note: Audio-Only

## Transcript

*Note: L is a native French speaker. Instances of improper English grammar are not typos of the transcript processor.*   
  
**OBOS Today:** How did you find the midwife and what were you looking for?

**L:** So COVID happened, and I relocated to my mother's house and so all my plans changed because I was in a very different location, and I was, I had this vision that I wanted to give birth at home. And so, I started looking for a midwife that that could support that. And realized that, by calling this woman that I had like I found her name on the forum on the Internet, and she told me that, unfortunately, the States did not support home birth and so she had no insurance for it and so she had to stop doing it because it was too dangerous and expensive for her own career. But she said that she had find a way to kind of go 50/50 that she was renting this birthing room in a hospital, and we would go there just for labor and giving birth and, and I could go back home right after and that would be just her and no one else in the room. And so, I started doing the like, the, the catching up because I met her at like—

I was pregnant at like maybe six or seven months so it was really interesting because I had, like, started all my birth preparation before in Paris and I didn't know that, existed like so much, there was so much thing that we could do, onto, prepare for birthing practically. I mean using our bodies and being like experiencing the preparation, whereas in Paris, all I was offered was like theoretical class where someone was speaking and giving me a lot of information, but nothing was embodied. And, and there she was like showing me how to massage myself and giving me tons of like books to read and sending me to different practitioner that could like help me and my, my awareness and I discovered all that so late in my pregnancy and it's not, and it's interesting because I was really looking for that beforehand and I couldn't find it.

So, I knew there was something, but it was so hard to get to this knowledge that was there and I, I found it incredible that, that it was, yeah. It was all this path of looking and searching and searching and searching to finally find what I was looking for, but I hope I, like, I wish all this was what every woman would receive and the first place.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [childbirth choices](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/childbirth-choices)
- [midwife](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/midwife)

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesLook

## Black Birthing Bill of Rights

The Black Birthing Bill of Rights is a resource for self-advocacy and for prompting policymakers and institutions to better support Black pregnant people.

![Black Birthing Bill of Rights scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

The Black Birthing Bill of Rights is a resource for self-advocacy and for prompting policymakers and institutions to better support Black pregnant people.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/black-birthing-bill-of-rights)

[ResourcesRead

## Choices in Childbirth

A collection of videos, articles, and downloadable worksheets to help pregnant people make pregnancy, birthing, and post-birth choices that are right for them.

![Choices in Childbirth scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A collection of videos, articles, and downloadable worksheets to help pregnant people make pregnancy, birthing, and post-birth choices that are right for them.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/choices-in-childbirth)

[ResourcesRead

## Choosing a Place of Birth

This resource helps you decide among your options for giving birth at a hopsital, home, or birth center, depending on your geographical location.

![janko-ferlic-T5Q78o0xTdw-1536x960](data:image/png;base64,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)

This resource helps you decide among your options for giving birth at a hopsital, home, or birth center, depending on your geographical location.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/choosing-a-place-of-birth)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Deciding to Give Birth in a Hospital

MS discusses how her trust in Western medicine and in the hospital where she gave birth influenced her childbirth choices.

![MS](data:image/png;base64,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)

MS discusses how her trust in Western medicine and in the hospital where she gave birth influenced her childbirth choices.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-deciding-to-give-birth-in-a-hospital)

[ResourcesRead

## Homebirth: Know the Pros and Cons

This article includes questions to ask when considering a home birth, the risks and benefits of home births, and how to prepare for a home birth.

![Homebirth Know the Pros and Cons scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This article includes questions to ask when considering a home birth, the risks and benefits of home births, and how to prepare for a home birth.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/homebirth-know-the-pros-and-cons)

[ResourcesRead

## How To Choose The Right Doula For You

Things to consider when choosing a doula include cost, certification, and more.

![A happy pregnant woman sits on the couch being checked by her doula](data:image/png;base64,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)

Things to consider when choosing a doula include cost, certification, and more.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/how-to-choose-the-right-doula-for-you)

[ResourcesRead

## Male Doula Aims to Be an Advocate

Profile of Dustin Young, a male doula working to make childbirth safer and to educate men about the birthing process.

![Male doula aims to be an advocate for women during childbirth scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Profile of Dustin Young, a male doula working to make childbirth safer and to educate men about the birthing process.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/male-doula-aims-to-be-an-advocate)

[ResourcesRead

## Meaningful Ways to Be a Gender Inclusive Birth Care Provider

This article outlines the four cornerstones of medical ethics and how birth care providers might practice them when working with non-binary, trans, and queer families.

![janko-ferlic-Q1zMXEI9V8g-unsplash-1024x768](data:image/png;base64,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)

This article outlines the four cornerstones of medical ethics and how birth care providers might practice them when working with non-binary, trans, and queer families.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/meaningful-ways-to-be-a-gender-inclusive-birth-care-provider)