Tigs, the thing that sticks out for me from my daughter's birth as far as midwives were concerned, is that they were all very nice and everything, but none of them had children. They were mostly all very young, with one older spinster - I wondered how they could be so sure about everything they were telling me if they hadn't actually done it themselves. (That probably sounds a lot harsher than I mean it to) I would have found it more reassuring if at least one of the team had been in my position, so I think someone with your experience would be a great asset! Also, you say you would only want to work 3 or 4 days a week - that may change, especially if you've been doing a full time course, and your kids will be older by the time you qualify. Keep looking into it and don't be put off by the age thing.