For my NHS scan, the impression I got was that they were more concerned with getting the right measurements than keeping the future parents informed of what was happening. I had a feeling that if they could have done the scan without me there, it would have been better for them. It was easier for the sonographer to type/see from her seat if the screen wasn't tilted towards me, and there wasn't a second screen.
At least I got to feel a little smug though. My LO was being utterly uncooperative for the measurements they wanted. LO kept moving away, rolling over and spinning round to face the other way, causing the sonographer much grief. I was sent out to empty my bladder half way through to try and get LO to settle down, but even that didn't work. I'd be worried they couldn't do all the tests, but I figure any LO with that much energy and movement capability at just 13 weeks is likely to be just fine!
IME the NHS have been very resistant to offering earlier tests. I had a tiny bleed at the point of the first 'missed' period and they refused to scan me then. Then I had an argument to get scanned at all last week, because they saw I'd put my private scan report in my record and argued that I wasn't allowed to have two dating scans, even though I'd paid for the early scan as extra! I had to point out it was a viability scan, not a dating one.
As for having a home birth, there are quite a few reasons! There's been no history of anyone in either side of the families having trouble with giving birth and I have no medical problems they consider likely to cause an issue. My BMI is (just!) within normal range, so aside from being a first-timer then I'm a pretty low risk pregnancy. I'm only three miles from the hospital, and the ambulance station is at the top of my street, so in the event there is some catastrophy then they can blue-light me to hospital pretty sharpish.
I really want to have a water birth, which immediately rules out one of my two local hospitals. The other has birthing pools, but you can't book and there's every chance they won't be available or the staff won't be available at the time needed. I don't really want to just leave it to chance! At home I can have a pool just for me, that no-one else can sneak into.
By having a home birth, the MW that will attend to me is the one that works at my local clinic, so I don't suddenly have to trust someone I've never met before. Both DH and I get on really well with my MW, so I feel happier knowing she'll be the one there. If I went to hospital, I'd get whoever happened to be on shift and they could change half way through.
There are plenty of horror stories about the wards at my local hospital, LGI. The hospital was on the news recently about rat infestations... Lovely. And given the care I got when having my scan there wasn't exactly great, that doesn't fill me with enthusiasm. Everything also looked pretty old and shoddy, to be honest. Stains on the seats, paint peeling off walls, etc.
Lastly, I'm a pretty private person and the idea of being put on a ward full of screaming babies and irresponsible young teen mothers (given the estate between me and the hospital...) fills me with horror. I much prefer the idea of being able to wash in my own shower and sleep in the relative peace and quiet of my own bed afterwards, with DH able to see me and LO whenever he wants and bring me exactly what I want to eat, whenever I want it. None of this ward visiting/meal times nonsense!
Sorry that was very long winded. Hopefully it's at least vaguely interesting and/or useful!