This program is just THE BEST! Couldn't recommend it highly enough. The birth was so wonderful, my midwife was there making sure bubs and I were both well and organizing the birth pool etc. discreetly so I could relax. While DD2 was being born, she watched with a mirror and torch and only touched DD2 to push her between my legs so I could lift her out of the water. Afterwards she helped me shower, hop into bed and cleaned up so I didn't have to do anything. It was wonderful! I've never had an independent midwife but I imagine the service is exactly the same, I don't think you'd lose out at all going through the public system. Having had both a hospital and home birth, I found home to be far superior but I didn't have a personal relationship with the ob or any of the hospital staff.