My initial MW (who is off on long term sick now) didn't even give us the choice. It was only when we got talking to another midwife in Parentcraft that she said we could have one and to talk to our normal MW about it.
As long as you don't go into labour before 37 weeks, there's no meconium in your waters when they break and you've had an uncomplicated pregnancy then you are fine to have one at home even if it is your first.
A home waterbirth sounds fab, but like Kerry said, I don't fancy the draining and cleaning of a pool (which even if we managed to get one in downstairs after moving the sofa out the way we'd have to move it pretty much immediately after the birth) which seems like too much to worry about.
I'm going to push my bed against the wall which will give us plenty of floor space, get a bean bag, a gym ball, lots of cushions, towels etc and set myself up a nice space upstairs. Better tell the neighbours what's going on (we are in a terraced house!)
)
We've been told that I may have to transfer to hospital if it's a long birth and I need extra pain relief (they can only give you gas and air at home, but that's all I want anyway) and the baby has to have vit K drops and can't have the injection (which we were having anyways).
I feel far more relaxed about the whole situation now
