Hi Min,

If you can, get both! That way you have the peaceful approach of the family birthing suite, as well as the peace of mind that an OB is "at the ready".

From my own experience (I think I have been lucky) this is how my care panned out, and I feel really that it was ideal for me, and would certainly aim to have this again if I get pregnant again:

~ GP referred me to OB at 12 weeks
~ Saw OB for "big things" like first check, scans etc
~ For monthly checks saw the midwife team
~ As I got into the 3rd Tri I saw my OB fortnightly and midwives weekly
~ For any incidentals (ie I had a vaginal swap done in my 3rd tri) I just saw the midwives
~ I could phone or email the midwife team OR my OB at any stage, 7 days a week, 24 hours.

For the labour/birth I chose the family room/family birthing suite. My labour was very quick and I dilated very quickly without anyone really realising, so I spent nearly all of my labour either at home (in phone contact with my fave midwife) or in the family suite with DH and my midwife popped in now and again. In only managed to actually get to the birthing suite about 10 mins before Olivia popped out.

When it came to the crunch my OB came in and had a look at me and delivered Olivia as I had dilated quickly, and it turns out that I had a tight and narrow pelvis. However, whilst I adore my OB, and was glad to have him there, I know that Jane (my midwife) COULD have delivered by herself if necessary. (They actually have worked together for years and make a great team!)

The aftercare was totally midwives (my OB did come and see me but only for a quick chat every morning, not to examine me.....the midwives did that).

SO, if you can get both, I personally feel it is the best of both worlds.