Rory, I totally agree with you. It's funny though, as you said, women seem to have no issue whatsoever handing over around $3,000 for an OB, who will supposidly give them a better birth in a hospital setting. They feel safe with this option. But, when it comes time to hand over $3,00 to an Independant midwife we baulk. Now, I know it's not because we don't feel them worth the money, nor is it that we don't think the do as good or even a better job than an OB. Perhaps it's again the unknown. We pay this money out and then there is still the chance we will require a transfer to hospital and maybe even a c section. Still, for me, the support and backup I get from my midwife is worth all of that.

Maybe we need to follow the UK and have HB's be a normal everyday occurance, and one that the government actually helps to pay for. It sure would take some of the strain off our already over crowded medical and hospital system.