Group vs. solo midwife practice

[sarahr]

I'm interviewing 4 midwives next week. I'll obviously have thoughts about them after meeting them, but I wanted to get your thoughts on a few things.

Two of them are sole practitioners, one is in a partnership (both attend almost all births), and the third is a large-ish practice (7 midwives, I think). Any pros and cons I should be thinking about in terms of size?

[sharr610]

I only have experience with the solo midwife thing and I REALLY connected with mine. So if you find a solo you like, I think its great because you really get to know that person and such. Ok, she actually had another midwife working with her that we got to know well too and its important to have one for mama and one for baby at birth, I think, in case there are any complications. But most midwives have apprentice assistants around here for that...

[catchthewind]

We used a group practice last time, and at first I really liked the idea. Two of the three midwives I really clicked with and loved. The third, I didn't like so much. Of course, it ended up being the third who came to our birth. Everything still went well, but I'm not sure I would go for a group (at least not a big one) again. A partnership would be fine with me though. The two midwives I really liked are now each practicing separately, though my first choice one is off next March, sadly. I haven't heard from the second one yet.