I've gone all sheepish now!
In answer to your question, If I'd have known that the birth was near, I think I'd have been relieved to be honest. I don't think I'd have panicked, too busy screaming to panic! lol.
Thank you for all your lovely responses. I'd really recommend a home birth to anyone, and although it hurt like hell, I'd also say the less pain relief the better.
My last labour was with an epidural, diamorphine, ending with a ventouse delivery and a distressed baby (she was fine in the end!) - I think if I'd been left to my own devices I'd been in a lot better state at the end of it. I could hardly walk for a week and I remember crying almost every time I went to the loo, and of course horrendous piles. They forgot to catheter me or something like that, which meant I couldn't push Daisy out at the last minute, and hence the ventouse and the pushing which led to really awful piles.
I stayed on the ward for the next 24 hours because they were worried that I wouldn't be able to pass anything as I was in such a state down there. At one point they quite literally forgot to organise painkillers for me, even though I had asked for them. After an hour and half of waiting, I remembered I had some paracetamol in my bag and dosed myself. When I asked them about the painkillers, they said that they hadn't been ordered or something. That was the icing on the cake!
This is why I made the choice I did. I hated being in hospital. I know that sometimes it works really well for some people, but not for me. Anyway, this time round (maybe it was just because this was my second baby), I ended up with a bad headache for about an hour, slight grazing and I have almost stopped bleeding already. I felt in shock after all that, but no other side effects at all.
Tom didn't have to leave me after the birth, I could have a bath, I was in familiar surroundings and so was a lot less intimidated, and I just felt safe.
Having said that, if there had been complications it may have been a different story - but I had faith in my midwife and knew that if she had any doubt at all about my baby's safety she'd transfer me to hospital.
If you're considering a home birth, I'd say go for it - and don't let doubting friends and relatives put you off. Just because something isn't the norm, doesn't mean it's not right for you.
Rant over! (sorry...blushing)