I wouldn't say I'm a birth activist but i really enjoy reading these threads - you're all really articulate which helps too!

I personally would go a group practice or case load mw system - I had such a good experience with this last time. Because I had the same mw, we had a great relationship, and we had had good discussions on what was in my birth plan, which wasn't very detailed - just the basics like no intervetion, no drugs, no hep b etc. My waters broke spontaneously, but nothing got started for a while, and my mw did a quick exam and sent me home - for up to 4 days if needed (which I didn't). I transferred to the bc when I was ready, and at no point felt like I was on the clock. I remember at one point the mw talked me out of intervention - DD was stuck - her head kept coming in and out and I asked if the mw could just pull her out (prob not the best choice of words but at the time, i wasn't capable of much speech). I was supported the whole way. Yep, the hospital wanted us to stay in a bit longer than planned, but I actually didn't mind that. And when the Postnatal ward mw kept asking about the hep B and I said we were declining it, she got a bit uppity, and went off to find out more info (i think to try and get us to have it) luckily my lovely mw came in in the meantime to visit, and put a great big 'declined' through the paperwork. Having a supportive person who is aware of birth choices is so important in having a good birth.

I find it a bit sad when women just choose private because they have cover, and they think they need an ob, without really considering it. A PP mentioned education - I think this is paramount to having a good birth, whatever the women decide.