Far out we are so lucky here in NZ with our birth choices! It is all up to the woman if she choses to go through the hospital or an Independent Midwife. IM's visit you at home and attend the birth at the local hospital, or birth centre, or home depending on what service she offers. And it is all free! For such similar countries I don't know how our systems ended up so different.

So because of the system here, no one around town bats an eyelid if you say homebirth. Since we are rural the only other option is the health centre which is just one room with a bed and spa and the same midwife you would have at home anyway. The only downside is that if we are transferred to hospital (1.5 hours away) it is sans the midwife because the IM's here aren't in the catchment area for the hospital so have no rights there.

But in saying that, there is still a perception around (mostly older people or city folk) that it is dangerous even though it is exactly the same risk as you would get at the birth center. I won't be telling my mum the plan until it is all over and done with lol, just can't be bothered with her disapproving.