Wife and I had our first at a hospital with a trained Nurse-Practitioner Midwife group. We only had to see the OB on call once, and otherwise got to let baby’s

Wife and I had our first at a hospital with a trained Nurse-Practitioner Midwife group. We only had to see the OB on call once, and otherwise got to let baby’s and mom’s timetable and needs lead the way, with minimal medical intervention. She was induced because there was a small chance of a kidney issue with baby (a common result on ultrasounds) and we were a few days past due date. Ultimately, labor lasted 30+ hours and she needed to get an epidural so she could get some sleep through the night to make sure she had enough strength - but she had a vaginal birth and got to do skin-to-skin, and baby only had to leave her side for a hearing check on the following day. I guess I share all of that to say that a balance can be found. This place was very respectful of our wishes and the NPMW group was incredibly well trained - and we had the peace of mind knowing if anything went south, we were seconds from pediatric surgery, etc… But to everyone saying “JUST TRUST THE DOCTORS BRO” - use some critical thinking. The medical profession can be dogmatic, arrogant, and hasty. It took a nurse to point out that MDs coming straight from necropsy should wash their hands before delivering a baby to avoid killing mother and child from infection. Doctors are not infallible machines of perfect medical skill, and we know that every medical intervention comes with risk; but humans have been giving birth for eons. Obviously medicine has improved that process in many ways, but medicine is best applied only when needed, so always ask questions and think for yourself.