I haven't read the whole thread so am only commenting on the poll.

I would, and have, birthed in a midwife-led birth centre. I also had my first two children in public hospital, and my last child with a private ob (who was also my Fertility Specialist)

IMO, if I were to have a 5th child, I would definitely, absolutely, without a doubt go with a midwife-led Birth Centre again. I had the most amazing experience birthing my son there, and nothing comes even close to comparing. I understand the risk of complications - for my last birth, my son was in distress. For my 2nd birth, the lip of my cervix came down with my son's head. I felt as reassured in my midwives hands and I did my ob's hands, if not more, and in the long run, it was the midwife who actually stayed with me, reassured me, monitored me and assisted me. My ob wanted a c/s when my amniotic fluid was meconium stained and I spent quite some time convincing him to let me try to birth on my own (which the midwife was supporting). It was reassuring to have him there, but in the end, I did it without his help.

So I don't feel like I would need an ob the next time (if there is a next time). I would be perfectly content to be in the care of midwives only. I agreed to an ob with my last birth because it had taken us so long to conceive I was convinced an ob would equal better care, but as much as I love him as an FS, as an ob, he didn't add a lot (if anything) to the whole birth experience and was really just a waste of money.