It seems to me that midwifery is coming back in some areas, and perhaps this is what the doctors are fearing. Our married children have both had children delivered by midwives.
I have nothing against a midwife delivery, in a safe controlled setting. Thats a hospital, with an OR and staff to resucitate the mother and infant in the event of a disaster.
People, I’m a trained ED doc with 20+ years experience. I now work in a small rural ED with NO OB and NO OR or other help at night, I’ve done lots of deliveries and I crap my pants EVERY time some woman wanders in here in labor. I’ve seen lots of “normal” deliveries turn into a disaster in SECONDS. Without immediate OR and help it means a dead or damaged baby and mom. People, go check out any old cemetery, it’s full of dead moms and babies “died in childbirth”.
Finally, I’m against any law that would make it illegal to deliver at home. I just would not recommend it. Ever.