I read a US study a while ago (and I probably will never find it back....) that said that it would be unethical to continue with the medical model of obstetrics when the midwifery model gives much better outcomes for mom and baby. Of course there are definitely times when obstetricians are needed, and I do not want to deny that they have saved the lives of mothers and infants, but they are not necessary for the vast majority of women, who would be better served with a midwife.