Hi Alan, I just wanted to say it's really important for a midwife to be both professionally excellent, but also heart-centred. I still remember my horrible hospital stay alone as a child post-tonsillectomy was made better by a single, male, nurse, who showed me more kindness and gentleness than all of the other staff put together. If you fit the bill for both criteria, then I would hire without consideration of gender.

You might like to do some networking with your local homebirthing group and get some feedback from them as well.
Regards - and all the very best with your new venture!
:-)