Distance to Midwife vs OBGYN

I had a midwife and a natural drug free birth for my first. I would never, ever see an OBGYN for a low risk pregnancy, NEVER! And yes, I would drive out of my way to have a midwife instead.
If I was you I would call my old midwife and ask if she would recommend someone closer to where you live now.
Good luck.

I went with a 60 minute drive to my midwife for my second, my second was only 10 months old when I got pregnant with my second. It was well worth it. I did homebirth with this midwife, however, so I didn't have the drive while in labor.

I do have to say, though, that I think finding an OB that can provide as good of care as a midwife will be nearly impossible. Midwifes are just the best.

We made an adventure out of my appointments, taking the train, having lunch dates, etc. My toddler loved it.

I would NEVER give up midwifery care for an OB. Especially if you were happy with your first delivery. OBs are trained as surgeons. Midwifes have a completely different outlook and you'd be surprised how impersonal an OB care can be...I am on my 5th pg and have had both OBs and midwives and would NEVER choose my OB over the midwife if I could avoid it :P

I'd say that OB vs midwife care can be totally different. I personally would not go to an OB unless I had a medical condition that required that. If the 45 mins is too much, I guess I'd see if I could find another midwifery practice closer to home. I feel that it goes beyond not having the "perfect water birth" when we are talking about OB care. They are very interventive and interventions can result in quite a different birth from the one you had last time. Of course, it will depend on the OB, but the avg OB hospital birth vs the avg midwife water birth, I'd go with the water birth all the way. Many hospitals have CS rates of 40-50%! That is crazy high. I'd talk with the OB first to get an idea of their practice and then see what you think.

I made the 45 minute drive (exactly that amount of time -- isn't that funny?) to a midwife, had a waterbirth, and it was fantastic, amazing, nothing like it in the world. If you're just concerned about the drive, don't be. There is nothing like car vibrations for labor pains. Seriously, that was probably the easiest stretch of the whole thing. Since this is your second child, though, I would recommend driving over fairly early in your labor, since second children come out much more quickly than first.

Will you be happier with the midwife or will you be ok with going with someone you felt like you were "settling" with?

Questions/Thoughts:
If everything is going smoothly with the pregnancy the distance should not be a big deal, but if something changes I would switch to a closer choice.

Is cost a big worry, would the extra gas cost break the bank then I would think of picking someone closer... if it is just going to be an added cost but could afford it I would pick the one I wanted.

Does your little one travel well, some kids love car rides (or at least do not mind them) while others scream the whole time. Also while at the appiontment is there someone who can hold your child while you are busy with the midwife (some places a nurse or similar will hold the child or keep the little one occupied in the same room with you during the appiontment).

Make sure to have a more proactive birth plan on factoring in that 45 min drive, so when do you go in when in labor. Also have a backup for if the labor goes quickly what is the backup place to go and would the midwife make the trip up.

My OBGYN & hospital I picked was 30 mins away... this OBGYN was someone I have seen since I was in college so I really did not want to change, she is whom I felt most comfortable with. Now I did not have a toddler in tow but if I did I would still go to the person whom I felt the happiest with and who offered what I wanted. If I was to get pregnant again I would have to pick someone closer because it would be a high risk pregnancy (I had heart issues during labor/end of pregnancy).

Does your midwife have privileges at the closer facility?
(I'm assuming you mean you are considering the distance not for just the blessed even but for all appointments, checks, tests, etc.--so overall ghas costs, time, etc.)
If your nearby choice is a hospital--I know people that have had natural water births at hospitals...I'd find out what they DO offer there before making your decision.

I loved my OB. Granted, I searched high and low and did several "meet and greets" before I found one that had a philosophy that I was looking for. EVERY birth is different but my first child was stuck in the birth canal. I pushed for 2.5 hrs until my OB said the baby was starting to stress. She asked if I wanted to try extraction (forceps, vacuum) before moving to a c-section. She did this because we had talked about avoiding a c-section in previous appointments if at all possible. (Yes, she took the time to know me, my wish, my birth plan, and how I wanted to have MY baby.) Thankfully, she was able to help him out with forceps and I have nothing but great memories of the birth and the utmost respect for my OB.

True, you won't get a water birth with an OB but my second child came so fast. Water broke around 1:00 am and she was in my arms at 4:32 am.

Good luck with your decision!