Lisa, I was going to specify that I have a bizarre interest in labor/childbirth, and that I'm a huge advocate of women going about "the business of being born" however is best for them. Just to get that out of the way. :)

Question #1: Giving birth in bed... Is there a protective sheet put down? :)

Question #2: Not sure where you live, but... Was it legal to have your baby at home? I vaguely recall reading that using midwifes at home was illegal, but I could be very wrong. I would definitely consider a home birth or a birthing center for myself one day. Actually, I'd use a hospital as a last resort. :)

O.k. That was just a general disclaimer for anyone who might stumble across this thread. Sometimes people hear home birth and they assume that you're some back woods hick and the old toothless, granny midwife shows up with nothing but a bucket of lard and it's go time;-)

I have a question:

I'm wanting to do a homebirth in the water but I worry about getting appropriate help in time if something happens. Did you worry about that at all?

I think water birth seems really cool (being a competitive swimmer for 7+ years I would. ha) I think it's brave of you to give birth at home. I don't know that I would. It would be nice to sleep in your own bed at night. What happens if the baby needs emergency treatment. Do they call an ambulance?

WHOA Gille, great minds think alike!

Kellie - re: Question 2.... it depends on the state and country.  Some states don't allow home birth (if I'm not mistaken), some allow only certain types of midwives, some allow a lot of different circumstances.

Lisa, I can understand the disclaimer. My family doesn't even do natural birth so I'll be in for it.

eureka! great minds indeed ;)

Don't forget the torn up sheets and boiled water! :)

I've come close to starting on the rode to becoming a doula. I just don't know how much a pregnant/laboring woman would appreciate my help considering that I've never been there myself? :) I could definitely rock the postpartum doula gig, though. I've been doing that unofficially as a nanny-most of the moms I work with are just heading back to work after maternity leave, and most are first time parents. Never thought I'd be so versed in the world of lactation. Wow! :)