Wow! We have a lot in common. I'm also in a master's program, have a husband in school and just had my first baby, so hopefully I can be of some help. I started with an OB who I didn't know who was covered by my insurance for the first 7 months of pregnancy, and, when I asked about 'alternative birth methods' he replied, "Oh, you'll want the epideral. Any other questions?" So I immediately knew he wasn't for me. (He delivered out of Orem.) I got a generally cold feeling from him, although he had a great resume and was very competant, the bedside manner was lacking for what I wanted through my birthing experience. So...I sought out the midwives in Timpanogos (sp?) and my first appointment (at 7 months, mind you!) was GREAT! I sat there asking question after question to the midwife for about 30 minutes and got immediate answers that were warm, real and VERY reassuring about my birth plan and my options. I felt great & excited to have the baby & reassured I was in good hands. They have a few DO doctors there who are on-call but you meet with, get exams by, and deliver with the midwife unless a doctor is needed. (They are doctors of osteopathy, which are specialized in Obstretics/Gynecology so they have a fundamental training in the medical as well as the natural side of things through exercise, diet, breathing, husband-coached methods, non-medicated child birth, etc. They are on-call always along with the midwives but only come if you have an extenuating circumstance...my feeling is birth is a natural thing and it will do it's thing without force. Anyway, they don't intervene unless necessary medically for the baby & mom's safety like if baby isn't coming out and heart rate drops, etc. and a c-section is needed.) Anyway, I highly recommend them. American Fork Hospital does 30% natural deliveries, non-medicated and they are familiar with all sorts of varieties of birth plans and I felt fully supported with it. Online you can google 'birth plans' and get a generic outline where you select things and it gave me ideas what to ask the midwife about, if I didn't know what it did or why it might be important. I went completely natural with no medication and wasn't induced (he came right on the due date). My husband & I prepared with husband-coached child birth classes (Bradley Method) and it helped us mentally and physically prepare a lot, just knowing what was happening and what to expect. If you're leaning toward natural these classes are locally available and about $200 for 12 weeks of evening classes. They have midwives at Orem as well, but I'm not familiar with them or the practices they use. My midwife on call was excellent and sat through 3 grueling hours of pushing (my first baby as well) and she was helpful and supportive and encouraging, something I was assured my doctor at Orem would not have been by several of the nurses who had worked with him previously. I would've been rushed to a c-section after about an hour and wouldn't have had the experience I wanted with my new baby. After experiencing it with the midwives, I wouldn't want to go any other way!