But your preference is supported. And in the public system, it is paid for by the government. That's good, that's as it should be.

However, women who actually don't want the gas, peth or epi, and actually would really like privacy, a birth pool, and continuity of care from their own midwife ... can't access that as easily. Homebirth is not supported and funded.

It's great that your choices are supported, but what about these other women? Their preferences are no less reasonable, according to research.

Also, your preferences are on the increase, dramatically, throughout the world. It is natural birth skills that are at risk of dying out.

Not 'everyone' should have a natural birth, but why should those who actually do want to, have to fight tooth and nail for an unhindered birth? Or have to pay for it from their own pocket, without even any subsidy? How is that fair?
Julie i understand what you are saying and i believe you are right...there should be the home birth option supported by govt funds

but who administers it? Independent midwives?

No matter how you try to achieve it, the administration will still have to be carried out in a bureaucratic fashion, they will have to impose rules and legislation on how the practice is managed and financed and this will lead to the inevitable involvement of hospitals and obstetrics.

If anyone wants to home birth they can do that right now simply by not going to the hospital when they go into labor. It seems though that the vast majority dont want to do this which is why all the funding and administration is going to the hospitals. Until more women choose to home birth you'll be hard pressed finding funding.

So if the issue is really about choice, then nothing is stopping any women from birthing at home.