Midwife experience

I thought I would do a midwife vs OB comparison.  I started doing research but have now decided against that.  Instead, I'm going to share my experience with midwives. 
For my first pregnancy we went with a group of midwives that worked along side OB's in the office.  The had a good relationship with each other and the midwives had alot of leeway with what they could and could not do but at the end of the day, they still worked for the OB and had to follow certain protocol.  There were 2 hospitals affiliated with these midwives and OB's.  The OB's worked solely at one hospital and the midwives worked at the other which had a birthing center and that was their focus.  There was a group of 5 midwives and I did meet all of them throughout my pregnancy but only had prenatal visits with 4.  They had meet the midwives throughout the year so that women would have the opportunity to see and meet everyone since any one of the 5 could be on call and come to the birth center for labor.  Each visit was fairly similar.  I would arrive, have my weight and blood pressure taken.  Then the midwife would come and we'd chat for about 30 or 40 minutes.  She'd answer any question Jim or I had.  She'd listen to any fears or concerns we were feeling.  We'd talk about where was a good place for cloth diapers or natural foods or the near little store in Ann Arbor.  After chatting: we'd listen to the heartbeat, measure the belly and feel around to make sure all was good.  We built a relationship during that time.  When it came time for me to go to the birth center, I felt pretty comfortable with all the midwives and although I had favorites, I knew that any of them would do a good job and agreed with my choice of birth options.  Once at the birth center and in active labor (which was right way), the nurses let me labor in peace.  One initial exam to see how far along I was, but that was it.  Jim and I were left alone to work together.  When things got intense, I asked Jim to call the nurse.  She came and said the midwife would be right in.  Sarah was my midwife for labor and once she came in, she pretty much never left.  She was there when I needed help getting out of the tub, she helped us figure out the best position for laboring, she came up with different ideas when I was struggling to push, she encouraged and did what she could to help.  When the 2 hour pushing mark came, instead of moving me to labor and deliver like protocol stated-knowing the baby was on it's way, she let me keep going and push out our little baby.  After, we chatted as she checked everything.  Showed us the placenta like we wanted...we were curious.  Made sure we were comfortable and then went to assist another labor.  The next afternoon, she stopped by our room to say hello, congratulate us, see the cutie little baby and tell us what a wonderful job we had done.  :)
This 2nd time around, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would use a midwife again, I just didn't know what it would look like.  This time, we chose a private practice with 2 midwives.  We had the option of meeting at their office, our home or a combo of the two.  We decided it was best for us to have our appointments at home.  We met both of the midwives in the first 2 appointments and have had meetings with each of them since.  When they arrive at our home, we sit in the living room and chat for usually an hour or so.  We talk about life, how I've been feeling the last month, what books I've read, plans for the holidays etc.  In fact, at the last appointment Jim said that he felt he was eavesdropping on a couple of ladies out for coffee.  After chatting: we hear the heartbeat, measure the belly and feel around.  Aria (my 22 mo daughter) is present at these appointments.  Mostly she plays and gets into the midwifes bag, lol.  But she helps when it's time to listen to the heartbeat and measure the belly.  When the time comes for labor, both midwives will most likely show up.  If there is another labor at the same time, then one will be here.  However, it doesn't matter which one because they both know me and we have gotten to know them.  We know about their families and they know about ours.  We've laughed over the funny things people have said to me as a pregnant woman.  There is a relationship that's been built and with that a foundation of trust between us.  There's no looking at the clock or rushing to get to the next appointment. The average appointment has been about 1.5 hr.  I feel important, cared for and not like just another pregnant lady in the office.