Bella, I agree with the leaving alone thing. With DD1 I was alone (DH asleep) doing my thing, took about 20 minutes to go to the birth centre and fill the bath, then I was alone in my own head again. My midwife was from a home birthing practice and had 20+ years experience and she only glanced in from the doorway every once in a while. I got into an amazing headspace and was somehow above pain. TBH, that birth felt more homebirthy than my actual home birth if that makes any sense - with DD2 I just couldn't quite get to the same place.