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I wouldn't. I see some of the appeal, but it would make me nervous and scared, which is the exact opposite of what I want to feel while giving birth.

A midwife practice in a birthing center IN a hospital is perfect for me.

I have had two uncomplicated and relatively easy births. Based on that, I would consider a home birth (especially since my last birth was so quick!), but my preference would still be for a hospital or birthing center.

No way, I wanted that epidural as early as they would give it!

Also, my first cousin and his wife had a home birth with their first. Everything was fine all throughout but he was born, took one breath and then stopped breathing. They weren't able to revive him and he was declared dead at the hospital, no cause of death ever determined. That story alone is enough to put me off home births - there's no saying whether or not he would have survived in a hospital but he would have had immediate access to all the supports necessary.

I would totally consider a planned home birth!

No, I can't think of any situation where I would be comfortable with a home birth.

Given that I would 2/2 on dead mom and dead baby, I would never consider it ever. I thank god for modern medicine every day!

I have had two wonderful planned home births. I love my team of Midwives and the amazing care they provided to me and my babies at home. Obviously I had two uncomplicated pregnancies. My first labor had a couple of bumps along the way but nothing that the midwives couldn't monitor and manage at home. My regular Doctor (family practice) was kept in the loop and trusted the Midwives to make good decisions should I need extra care or a hospital transport. It might have given me peace of mind that I have a major university hospital nearby with top notch care should we have needed it.

I get that hospitals are annoying and it would be AWESOME to be at home the whole time, but at the end of the day, that's not enough. I would never take the chance. I would only deliver in the hospital bc a 5 minute ambulance ride could be 4 minutes too long.

I'd be a good candidate because I had a healthy pregnancy and delivery the first time, and I live one mile away from the hospital, but I'm not interested in a home birth. Aside from emergency services, I just plain like the hospital. Why not be somewhere with help and monitoring 24/7? Just imagining the mess at home... Nope.

I've always loved the idea of a home birth but a) DH is not on board AT ALL, b) as others have mentioned, an attended home birth would cost significantly more out of pocket, and c) I have too little experience with birth to ultimately feel comfortable with it (i.e. no sisters, none of my close friends have kids). In an alternate universe, however, I would totally try for it. Right now, I am just trying to remain optimistic and keep a positive attitude about my upcoming hospital birth.

I haven't read the above comments but in my personal situation: with my first midwife I totally would have (besides the high blood pressure and pit induction and all that). It's illegal in my state but I think it's a right every woman should have and something I would have loved to experience but alas my body does not handle the end of pregnancy well. Even going home after 4 hours seems like a dream to me, my DH and I don't do well in hospitals

@ms.line: I feel that is a slightly misleading statistic. Sweden has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world and their percentage of home births is even lower than ours. Im not sure it a direct correlation. I think there is a bigger picture in the US of poor healthcare coverage, and poor education and support for new mothers (infant mortality is defined as death before 1 year).

I'm not saying home births can't be safe but for many people, they are less safe than a hospital birth, depending on their circumstances.

@travellingbee: I don't think it's misleading, the state of maternal care in the US is abhorrent. But yes, that obviously has to do with many of the social factors you described, not simply because we heavily rely on hospitals. My point is that the "hospital birth=safe" and "home birth=unsafe" binary is inaccurate.

I never would. As an ICU nurse we see any emergencies that happen on the L&D floor. There is nothing like talking to a man who has just become a father and is now worried about losing his wife. Seconds count in a true emergency and I want to be as close to a NICU as possible.

@MrsSCB: yes. That article says exactly what I meant.

@MrsSCB: Yes, those stats have a lot to do with income and education disparities, but our hospital protocols and delivery of care need a lot of work, too.

A concise piece written by an OB: http://www.newsweek.com/should-you-have-your-baby-hospital-or-home-340040

@ms.line: I do agree there are many areas we could improve in hospital births, but I also think that it is a bit misleading to use the maternal/infant mortality rate as a reason to give birth at home. The biggest factor affecting that rate is still lack of access to care, not quality of care.

Theoretically in my head, my ideal birth would be an at-home waterbirth with my husband in the tub encouraging me and holding me.

In reality, I'm too much of a worrier. I have too many friends that had troublesome deliveries, and my mother almost died due to hemorrhaging / retained placenta / placental abruption (her description is fuzzy, her doctors weren't very clear with her about what happened). I also LOVE my OB and obviously he only does hospital births.

I absolutely could, but I prefer the feeling of support I get at my local hospital's birthing center. (Not to mention the room service milkshakes). I live 3/4 of a mile from a hospital so I would not feel nervous about the risks of a home birth. For the majority of low-risk women it's a great way to have a baby.

I had two c-sections so no. I feel that even if that hadn't been the case, I would panic too much not being in a medical setting.