Hi D.,
I don't know if it's something you've considered, but I have a wonderful midwife. I was seeing an OB before I switched to Barbara Charles, CMN at 26 weeks pg with my first. I was starting to have reservations about how my OB was going to handle my request to go naturally. Barbara is wonderful - I have had more time with her than all of my doctors put together. There is a short wait at times (up to 1/2 hour), but when you are with her, you are her only concern and she takes her time with you. I delivered a healthy daughter in February and will stay with her for well-woman care. She has an office on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow and has an office in Huntington. If you're interested in trying her out, her number for both offices is ###-###-####.
She delivers at NUMC and has privileges at Huntington. NUMC would not have been my first choice of hospitals (my OB delivered at North Shore and that is where I would have expected to have my baby), but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised and very happy with my post partum care. The nursing staff was amazing and very nurturing. My baby was in the NICU for 5 days and that staff was also wonderful. I don't think I would have gotten the personalized care at any of the other area hospitals. Also, private insurance patients usually get a private room (billed to insurance as a shared room).
I know that going with a midwife is not for everyone - I would never have expected to make this choice for myself, but the patient care is so much better than one usually gets from a doctor. Barbara is absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend her.
No matter your choice, I hope you find a provider that you really like!
~Karissa