Homebirth - the benefits for mothers and babies are well documented. So obviously the number one reason men will be supportive of a choice to give birth at home is that we love our partners and children. But let's think of ourselves as well. What's in it for us?  Sex. For some reason, women who give birth at home are far more likely to keep an intact perineum. Now, don't take this as meaning you're immediately 'on a promise' if you consent to staying home. But a cut or a tear is hardly going to speed things back to normal, is it.
Control. In hospital, the midwife or obstetrician is boss. It's their turf. The way they do things might not be to your liking, but your partner is in their hands. In the unfamiliar surroundings she, and you, can feel disempowered. At your place, you call the shots. It's human nature. And anecdotal evidence suggests that even today 'the man of the house' is listened to even more than the woman giving birth. By knowing your partner's wishes you keep control 'in the family'. Less stress. You don't have to time your run to the hospital. You don't have to make sure you've packed everything. And because homebirths are safer for a normal pregnancy, you don't have to worry as much in general. More sex. In hospital, minor interventions seem to lead to major ones. So a planned natural birth can end up with an epidural. Instead of allowing any pain in the labor ward, they postone it for you to take home later. Put it this way: you're running long distance. Instead of getting sore feet during the run, you numb them. But what shape will they be in when the anaesthetic wears off? Visiting hours. You've waited 9 months to hold this child. Why let other people or policies say when you can, and for how long? Private rooms with sleep-in facilities are an improvement but on the day, hospitals are usually quite strict about who gets to use these. The slightest concern could see you tranferred out to the labor ward. No mix-ups. You may plan for the baby not to leave your sight. But things don't always go to plan. At home you can hold the baby in your arms even while you're phoning all the relatives to give them the news. You won't need to bother with coins, phone cards or a big bill on your mobile phone, either. | 
