I had two birth ctr deliveries, two at home w/midwife but prenatal care under a medical doctor (hard to find one willing to do this), three (#3, #6 & #7) at hospital and one miscarriage (#8--older mom). The reason the last two were at the hospital is after five pregnancies Florida law restricts midwives (at least then) to that because of higher bleeding risk factor with more births (not all have problem but I was a heavy bleeder).
When I made the necessary transition, I realized my OB preferred to have all tools on hand if something should come up. The mess that comes with birthing did not phase him as he first worked in Africa seven years before here and literally saw strong women go birth behind bushes. Interestingly I asked him I heard how women give birth immediately going back to work as I am a hard worker but noticed when pushed too hard the bleeding would go up and was exhausted (turns out decades later found out had sleep apnea--did not have diabetes, not overweight or thick neck--CPAP machine is helping even though a bit to become used to & two sleep study nights were hard--but very glad I had it checked out. Now explains the decades of extreme fatigue beyond birthing). He said that was true but the trade off was when they were 30 yrs old, they looked like 60 yrs old. Been complimented several times that I do not look like I have 7 kids and almost fifty. Husband would stay with me for a whole month (job has good leave) after each birth and stay home, no smoking or partying, drink lots of water & eat healthy as possible.
But back to point some hospitals are becoming more consumer friendly and pays to be informed, friendly but firm with wise flexibility. An example is when I had #6 I barely pushed out him as my uterus was worn out. Some women in past and current history have/can birth 25 children without the uterus wearing out but not mine. I was so leary of pitocin because of f&f and others bad encounters with pushy nurses administering too much pitocin. Held out from using pitocin for #7 then finally had to have some. The nurse gave a small amount and out he came. Too bad I did not do sooner that day---I was wore out!! Like little train that could :)
Also very alarmed about regression thereapy healing as know from people who work in deliverance ministry, that opens one up to evil spirit infestation. There is a scripture that says man is appointed to die once then judgment so anything else reasoned otherwise is a diversion from truth. Dealing with entities that are far smarter than humans. Us humans with our sin nature (fallen fm Adam & Eve) have enough problems as it is. Peacefullness is useful. He sounds dogmatic at this stage in his life--putting philosophy or ideals above people. Whatever epic battle took place before this heaven & earth, we see when get to heaven but not needed now.
My former OB, Dr. Manos, that allowed me to birth at home with midwife moved to Mount Dora Florida as a master ultra sounder for our female parts and covers for midwives when they need him. (He may be nearing retirement) I guess he saw how I handled & worked at #3's birth. Saves hospitals money and heard how British hospitals operate (midwives handle most births but can call doctor when needed).
Look for someone that has good instincts as my midwives and my former OB did (he reminded me of T.V. detective Columbo character looked bit bumbling but actually smart & good instincts). Only met one midwive who had what I call a clinical approach.
I did all births including miscarry without any pain killers. However I did know one lady whose mother warned her of terrible birth pains that ran in the family so she used some form of pain killer. All a balance for your situation and safety of you & baby. Actually met two ladies that their babies were truly allergic to their milk turned out it was a genetic issue and the moms had good diets (they did know each other & different times). I have heard from those who had epidurals they would not to that again i.e. terrible headache if move (how can you enjoy & bond with that?), back pain at the needle insertion site even decades later. Also read increases one's chances for a forceps delivery (opens a chance to spinal injury to baby) who wants that unless emergency? Have not heard anything on saddle blocks.
Doulas I have heard are nice but did not use myself--no need & money a factor. On my written birth plans with all of our children my first priority was our safety (everything in my personal prenatal care was geared for increasing their chances for survival). Then second was our bonding time which was immediately after birth even with a ceasarean section in case that should come up. All of mine were very alert checking us out. Then nappy for newborn about six hours even though technically one supposed to wake baby every two hours. With first one I was a bit scared for sleeping so long. Also best friend (nurse for 30 yrs incl. 10 yrs in labor & delivery) believed that pain medicine used for her necessary ceasarean got into her baby's system because she was chirpy after two months and ever since.
Another useful tidbit is take Citracal Plus for Bone Density. After #3's birth, I had bad pain in my hip (then both later). Started drinking orange juice with calcium (know juice is 'sugar water' for the dogmatic purist but) it helped a bunch for the time. Turns out talking with my maid of honor (five boys herself) she had the same issue happening with her hips which her midwive found out she had stopped taking her calcium supplement while still nursing. Her midwive said that she needs to take that for two years after birth. In 2003 my bone density was in danger (even though eating healthy) of osteporosis. Heard from another good mom friend of Citracal Plus, been using ever since and past two DEXA scans my bones have passed and no longer in danger of osteporosis. But since contains other vitamins, I cut multi in half so not to go over too much plus take B vitamins seperate.
So hope all this helps. More than welcomed to contact me if have further questions or comments. Best Regards, N.