I'm the other, more mad side of HomeBird8 - her dear husband...
I'm not a tree-hugging hippie type, and wanted to make sure that homebird was doing the right thing, when she proclaimed, we're having this one at home, as pregnancy hormones make for very erratic 'bird to say the least , excepting when she slept, and I reckon she could have taken that up as an Olympic sport she was so well trained.
However, the 'Home Birth' bee in her bonnet just got louder and angrier the more she read up... and she encouraged me to do so too. I'm d**ned glad she did.
Firstly, the midwifry support to home births is excellent - yes you get no machines that go ping, you get no clamouring nurses, and more importantly, you do get to have a midwife around, all the time once things have progressed.
Secondly, she was relaxed -whether that makes for an easier birth, being male, I have absolutely no comprehension, but, she didnt need much pain relief during, was able to take her time (and was actively encouraged to do so to reduce tearing) during second stage, and third stage was natural, with a small shot of instant vomit aka syntometrin to make sure little bleeding happened.
Once the formalities were over, they left our house, and we were able to sleep, have a cup of tea, eat a little, when we felt like it. There was none of those stupid rules - thou shalt not have sandwiches, beans, a glass of water heaven forbid a yoghurt or six - fresh, your favourite flavour, and in YOUR fridge...
Finally, no great fanfare, palava, transfer from hospital, just peace, quiet (yeah right, with a newborn in the house!) and us.
In our bed.
The post partum infection rates are lower at home, the incidences of so called 'complications' at home are treated in a more woman-centric sympathetic manner. Pain relief can be arranged in the form of gas and air, or meptid (which is loads better for baby than pethidine), and from gut feel it just felt right. Its a brave decision, one that runs counter to the huge propaganda effort that has been mounted over the decades that hospital is the best place.
First time round, I was quite frankly, very, very, very concerned.
I neednt have worried.
Second time around, yes there was a bleed, but the midwives did thier jobs, stopped it, made sure that HomeBird was comfy, and then went on thier way.
Midwives are funny - they seem to be fuelled by chocolate cake, buscuits and tea. They'll also help you to make the decision that you both feel comfortable with.
One of many leaps of faith that I'm very glad I took.