Leslie,
I am a high risk pregnancy and this time around through location only I went through the midwife care at the local base hossy. We are in the country nad if I had wanted and Ob like with my first preg I would have had to travel 400km round trip each time and then to the hospital.
I have found this time much better care and much more relaxed. I can ask more questions without being herded through. They chat, they only run late if they're busy not cos they've over booked and you meet the midwives before you are actually in labour.
My frind who has no PHI is paying $100 per visit (with the 400km round trip each time) and $3000 for the private hospital....just don't understand why.