Re: 1st time delivery (normal)
when my niece was born [canada] my sister in law had decided to go with a mid wive, who was at her house during most of the labour, they lived really close to the hospital, and when she was about 7 inches dialated (sp??) they took her to the hospital where the mid wive delivered the baby. she had no drugs, and she was able to [if she wanted] go home that night. it was nice becasue she was REALLY comfortable in her own bed in her own room for the most part of it. and then the mid wive came everday for the next week in order to teach her how to breast feed properly, and make her comfortable taking care of the baby. insha allah when i have kids i would love to have a mid wive, cause you can get all the security of modern medicine at the hospital, but its much more personal casue you meet the mid wive during your first trimeseter, and really get to know her.
Finally congrats on the baby, i hope things go smoothly for you both before and after the delivery.