i think that what her intention with the reply was to highlight that her role at a birth is important (not that you need to be told!) and goes beyond 'making it' to the birth...this was my impression (i agree that she was emotive, but i guess given the current environment: particularly in certain states of Aus, this is to be expected).

my impression is that she would recommend that you go the whole hog and book for a HB. which of course holds the very real possibility of her not making it in time for the baby coming out bit...BUT it does mean that even if she were to miss that bit that she would be there immediately after attending to you and bubs and going through placental checks etc and providing support (in whatever capacity...measuring, weighing, checking for tears, retention, or at the worst, helping with resus or helping with transfer).

in the antenatal period i guess you guys could come up with various action plans that suit you all (going through possible scenarios etc)...and this *could* be really helpful in allowing you to 'claim' or 'own' your birth no matter how it happens ITMS.

of course, this all comes at cost...for me, it would be worth it, because having her arrive in that immediate post birth moment would be really important, BUT that is my journey...