The disadvantage is that you may not like all the partners and you won't have any control over who you will see at the delivery. A combination practice is a group practice that includes one or more OBs and one or more nurse-midwives. The advantages and disadvantages are similar to those of any group practice. One advantage of having a nurse-midwife on staff is that they can usually spend extra time with you at your prenatal appointments and at the same time with OB's on staff, you may feel safer knowing there is physician expertise in the practice. A maternity or birth center based practice is the type of practice where nurse-midwives provide the bulk of care to the patients and OBs are on call as needed.
Birth centers provide care for low risk pregnancies only.
The main disadvantage in this type of practice is that if a pregnancy becomes a high risk situation, you will have to switch to a physician in a more traditional setting and start new with them. Finding the perfect doctor or midwife can be quite a journey but one well worth taken. The rest is up to you and the healthcare provider to establish a good working relationship. Some ways that you can make the job of caring for you and your baby easier are to prepare for each visit by having a list of questions ready. Don't withhold information.