My first two daughters were born in hospital because we didn`t have running hot water, a bathroom, or even an inside toilet. My next daughter was going to be a home birth, as we`d moved into a brand new house by then, but just over a week before my due date, I was told at ante-natal clinic that because I was very anaemic, I`d need to be delivered in hospital, and have a blood transfusion before the birth. I was due on January 2nd, went into hospital on December 28th, she was born on New Years Day, and I`ve still not had that transfusion, more than 46 years later! My fourth baby, son number one, was going to be a home birth, a couple of weeks before, I was told that I was too anaemic and had to go into hospital. I refused, and he was delivered, safely, at home, and it was a much pleasanter experience, as was son number two as well. And the midwives in each case were wonderful.