My view is influenced by the fact that I work in a nursery intensive care unit. I see only see the small percentage of infants born, even though our unit is a 59 bed unit. I have worked with a family who's infant did not survive due to a birth accident, home delivery, midwife in attendence. Everyone involved felt strongly that this infant's chances would have dramaticly improved had emergency medical care been readily available. How devistating this was for all. I feel we need to continue to make the hospital delivery areas and staff "Family Centered". Keep educating, mentoring one person at a time, if need be, to create the best of both worlds. The percentage of infant/maternal deaths that occure may be small but one is too many. I am very much in favor of midwifes and doulas, but in an enviornment that has emergency help readily available. Thanks for listening, Kim RN, IBCLC Phoenix