Thanks for your replies everyone. Sounds like it's pretty mixed then, and dependent on the situation.

I just always assumed that women were mostly left alone until the 'business' end of birth. It was having midwives express surprise when I mentioned it that made me think maybe I was wrong. And lucky to have had such an experience . I hope next time is as good.....how do you nicely put in your birth plan "we just want to be left the hell alone"? LOL