I fully and readily admit that I have not investigated the risks and benefits of home birth. However, I have to believe that there are some situations that absolutely require a hospital, and it seems that the OP acknowledges the same (by packing a bag for the hospital). If one of those situations arises and mom or baby is injured or worse by the delay, it would be hard for me to think “oh well, we made our choice, too bad it turned oput that way.” Also, can you imagine the ride to the hospital? Pure regret avoidance is probably not the best way to make decisions on certain issues or maybe in general, but I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself if my decision to not go to a hospital hurt my baby even temporarily.
Thanks for being civil with me in this thread, and I won’t harp on this any further (but will read any responses).