I had two deeivlries at a birthing center (a medium one, I'd say in terms of luxuries), associated with a hospital, attended by an MD (but a family practice MD, not OB). They were very satisfactory births. I felt properly respected by both nurses & doctors, comfortable in the room (though I would have liked a bigger bed, I'd consider that a luxury and not a necessity.). Definitely a pleasant, and not PTSD inducing experience for me. My setting was different from yours (a birth center) and I live in an area of the country where I've seen doctors who seem quite trained in respecting their patients in the touchy-feely way that isn't necessarily part of the historical MD interaction. My births did include a bunch of medical interventions, though (including epidurals, IV pitocin, heel pricks for my little ones -- medically justified, I think, though they didn't detect anything). So, it might not have satisfied others. But, my perception was that for those who wanted less medical births, there was support, and choice, that I wasn't pushed to choose the epidural or the pitocin, but those were my own choices. I think it's unlikely that MDs are going to be supporters of home birth -- it'd be interesting to hear from any who are. It's just too contrary to their interests (as you say, in general, they only see the problems with home births, not the good things).
