Ugh! Reading about that first midwife really ticks me off. I gave birth to my daughter this past June and my midwife was awful. Amongst other things, she decided to take a nap for two and a half hours whilst I was on an epidural. I wouldn't be so angry if she had been looking after another patient (you do hear about how there is such a shortage of midwives), but she was actually sleeping in a back room and they couldn't find her for ages. My epidural wasn't working and I was quite frightened, as the pain didn't feel like the labour pains I had experienced previously. I have to agree that the emotional aspects of giving birth are so very important and shouldn't be under estimated, but that most women would not want to give birth at home if they felt that it would indanger their child. When you give birth you are overcome by such a mixture of emotions and you feel incredibly raw and vulnerable. One reason I would rather give birth at home is because there are no 'visiting hours.' I was fortunate enough to deliver in the afternoon, so that he could spend time with us afterward. But whilst I was in hospital another woman in my room gave birth just after 8pm (after visiting hours) and they actually threatened to call security to get her husband to leave once he delivered her to the post-natal ward. Whilst I couldn't have felt more safe with the surgical team that finally delivered my 10 lb 8 oz baby girl, or been more pleased with the day midwives and midwife assistants, at night (for some reason) the midwives ranged from lazy to just plain mean. I desperately wanted to go home. Once I got home I was able to get what I craved--to cuddle up in bed with my husband and make a little love sandwich with the baby. :)