Should I stay or should I go?

As anybody who knows me will know, my original birth plan was in a hospital suite, surrounded by medical professionals being regularly pumped full of drugs until I couldn't feel my feet, let alone anything further north! So you may be surprised to hear that we are now in discussion with the midwife to have a home birth.

It all started during my antenatal classes (8 hours plus a hospital tour - I'm a dedicated parent-to-be) One Wednesday night we went to an Active Birth session, led by a crazy, but fabulous lady called Sue ( I wish I could preorder her at my birth - she had me in fits of giggles and would be sure to lighten the atmosphere a bit) Anyways, she got talking about the ideal atmosphere to have a baby in. Apparently you should be relaxed and happy, in a similar set-up to when you are about to make love! Dimmed lights, soothing music, maybe some aromatherapy...you get the idea. Naturally, at this point Chris turned to me and said what we were both thinking - "Do you think they let you bring cats to the labour suite?!"

It may sound daft to you, but I am most happy in my living room, with easy access to my computer and at least 3 cats pestering me for attention. So, we decided to take what she said to the natural conclusion and look into having the baby at home. Obviously there will be some preparation involved, but I've been speaking to people who have done it in the past and they have been very positive about the experience, even if they ended up going to hospital.

Here are the main points that swayed us to decide on this "shocking" course of action: (Not that I'm explaining myself, mind you, but it's good to show I've not completely lost my marbles)

1. Chris gets to stay with me all night. No matter what time she arrives, we get to cuddle up with Daddy and I don't have to be on my own in a scary hospital with a new baby. (that bit comes later, when we go for our checks, but at least we get a special first night together)

2. I'm guaranteed the full-time attention of at least one midwife, if not two! In hospital, I'll probably see a different midwife every few hours, and then I'll have to share her with potentially 3 other mummies! And I don't like sharing my spotlight!

3. If the midwife is unhappy about anything during the birth, no matter how small, weve been assured we'll be in hospital before we can blink. And if I've had a normal pregnancy (it's been a breeze really!) then there is no reason why the birth shouldn't be the same.

4. And finally (although I could go on all night) if I chicken out, change my mind and beg for an epidural, I can go to hospital anyway.

So I'm no more worried about the birth than I was before, but actually looking forward to the experience and feeling rather zen about it all. After all, it's a thoroughly natural process that my body is programmed to do and thousands of women have done it before me.

Although obviously I have a woman's perogative to change my mind and deny this entire post in the future. My brain may not be functioning properly - I am pregnant, you know!