Big thanks BTW to those of you who offered some thoughts on my 'section or not to section' self-debate. It really is like the night before your wedding, the doubts about all your well-made plans...I must just try to stick with the programme and hope I make it in safety to a calm, planned delivery on the 25th. No traumas please.
Re homebirth - my personal (and admittedly very slanted) view is that I'd never be able to advise it for a first birth, as you've no idea if your body is one of the lucky ones to deliver babies easily or not. If I'd had a home birth I would have no DS now!! He needed all the medical support of the hospital ASAP. There was no advance warning of this - I was supposedly 'healthy' and 'normal' and was hoping for waterbirth. The thought that I could have lost my boy forever is so frightening to me, that I could never recommend doing without immediate access to all possible assistance. Just in case.
That being said, I do have a mate who delivered her first at home, in a pool, with no pain relief, but I think she must be exceedingly blessed. I can completely understand your preferences though, so I guess I'd say, go to the hospital but try like hell to make it the way you want. Take a birthing pool, your own pillows (they really are nice to have), music (I had an ipod player, was great), try like hell to get an amenity/single room, and bring earplugs and facemask in case you do get surrounded by madness. Sorry not what you want to hear, just my story... Good luck!!