E.,
Well, I sit the fence on this issue. I can give you some stories from both sides. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to have a natural birth and got all the way to 10 centimeters when the doc said he wasn't coming out and for his safety they had to do a c-section. It was very dissapointing, but the one thing I know is, I WAS IN A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD HELP ME OR MY SON QUICKLY IF THEY NEEDED TO. If I had been even minutes from a hospital they may not have been able to help him "get out" as soon as he needed to. I have known a few couples who have had trouble having the baby at birthing centers or at home and then had to be rushed to the hospital for help. Sometimes with devistating results. I was exactly where you are right now. I wanted an all natural no strings attached birth, but I just thank God that my baby is ok. All that other stuff doesn't matter at all when you look into the eyes of your little one. Please remember that and just be rational in your decision making, either way. I am not trying to pursuade you in either direction, but I have seen it turn out VERY VERY poorly in a home situation before and I wouldn't want this for you. The MOST important thing is the safety of you and your baby, not that it is done in the most natural of settings. My personal advice would be to have the baby in a hospital with a doula or midwife and be sure to spell out to your doctor/midwife exactly how you want things done. Everyone at the hospital I went to, were very very accepting of what I wanted, which was all natural, they even encouraged it at one point. This way, you are still doing it the natural way, but with the safety of a monitor (to ensure the baby is safe) and a closeby hospital staff specifically for you and doctors just for your baby if need be. I'm sorry to go on and on like this, but I've just been through it and a close friend of mine had an absolutely horrifying experience at home, so I am passionate about what I am saying. THE ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOUR BABY ARRIVES SAFELY. Do whatever you feel you need to do to ensure that this happens.