I had two deliveries at a tirbhing center (a medium one, I'd say in terms of luxuries), associated with a hospital, attended by an MD (but a family practice MD, not OB). They were very satisfactory births. I felt properly respected by both nurses & doctors, comfortable in the room (though I would have liked a bigger bed, I'd consider that a luxury and not a necessity.). Definitely a pleasant, and not PTSD inducing experience for me. My setting was different from yours (a birth center) and I live in an area of the country where I've seen doctors who seem quite trained in respecting their patients in the touchy-feely way that isn't necessarily part of the historical MD interaction. My births did include a bunch of medical interventions, though (including epidurals, IV pitocin, heel pricks for my little ones -- medically justified, I think, though they didn't detect anything). So, it might not have satisfied others. But, my perception was that for those who wanted less medical births, there was support, and choice, that I wasn't pushed to choose the epidural or the pitocin, but those were my own choices. I think it's unlikely that MDs are going to be supporters of home birth -- it'd be interesting to hear from any who are. It's just too contrary to their interests (as you say, in general, they only see the problems with home births, not the good things).

I have three children. My first child was born at a btihirng center attended by my doctor (gen pract, but with an OB specialty) and a doula. Very nice, although the birth was so fast I never got to use the hot tub!My second was an even faster birth. She was supposed to be born at a different btihirng center (due to different insurance), but was actually born on the sidewalk outside the hospital. Hospital workers appeared magically, holding up sheets for some privacy. A blanket was laid under me. My doula was there. The head of pediatrics held my hand and kept up a stream of encouragement. The head labor nurse caught the baby. After I'd had a chance to greet her, she was whisked off to NICU for 2 hours observation (the worst part of the birth). They got me up onto a gurney to take into the hospital, and I got a standing ovation as they wheeled me through the lobby.My third was a planned homebirth. After my previous experience, I talked to my OB, who actually encouraged me to do a homebirth and gave me advice. I found a CNM and a new doula (first one had come out of retirement for my second birth). Baby 3 was even faster: she beat the midwife by 12 minutes.All three of my births have been good experiences, though very different. I would like to see more women have the choices I had been lucky to have living where I did.

The two birthing rentecs were in Santa Cruz, California. And for my home birth (Watsonville, CA), our pediatrician made a house call :)Even he was okay with the homebirth, so it's possible for medical professionals to work in tandem with midwives.

Aw, you have a gripe with me. Hmmph. That's it. It's over.Yes. I am kidding. I'm not as down on chiro as some. But a lot of what "they" claim is gagabre. That's not to say that what YOUR chiro is doing for you isn't significant and effective. As we all know, there are "bona fide" members of the medical establishment who essentially practice gagabre. I'm HAPPY to agree to support people's choices. And I'm not one of those homebirthers who pities these sad little women who let themselves fall into the clutches of the medical establishment, although without some of the early stridency, we would have what choices we do have now. I've given birth with epidural and without, and I GET IT. I'm not about to tell another woman how she oughta give birth at home, or without interventions. Hell no. That's what puts the choice in choice, right?

Thanks, Daisy. I love "my" commenters...there is auuslly so much thought and so little ire or ad hominem. There have been some great conversations here.