Why do some mothers/parents opt for a home birth rather at a hospital?

My sister had her second child at home because her hospital experience was so bad, Her home birth went wonderfully.

For some women, it feels natural to them. Up until not too long ago, having children at home was commonplace. There are plenty of midwives out there who have a lot of experience. They are easy to find and really get the mother psyched about being a mother naturally. I think they are a great option. There is a certain freedom of birthing at home, in one's own space, with full attention to the mother and childs needs.

For the comfort factor. If I would have had the option, I would have had mine at home. I couldn't wait to get home after the birth. There's something about being where you belong.

for my daughter, 5 years ago, I thought I couldn't give birth at a hospital because of the 'Tour de France' (it is a cycle race).
but she decided to be born later, so that happened in a hospital.
it was not as nice as I wanted, even though it was a famous obstetrician who was working that day.
since that day, I am not sure that, if one day I have the chance to be pregnant again and to give birth to a third child, it will happen in a hospital.

I was born in a birthing center and witnessed my sisters being born here.... http://www.thebirthcenter.org/

My mother liked the home feel of it. Instead of being born in a hospital room I was born in a normal looking bedroom. My mom had the chance to know the midwife and the staff etc. There was room for family and friends to come and visit my mother. My mom was also a natural birth fanatic and they were the experts in that stuff... so...

...and if any complication were to occur the hospital was literally right across the street.

I have 6 children and my 3rd one i had a hard time having,being pulled around in the hospital so when i had the 4th one i opted for a home birth,best thing i ever did,no pain relief needed i was very relaxed in my own home,once the baby was born my children came in my room and had a look :)
I settled the baby into my routiene from day one as we was at home no other babys were there to wake mine up it was lovely,unfortuatly with baby 5 and 6 for medical reasons i had to have them in hospital.But if your healthy go ahead and have one at home its the best ever experience :)

i personally would want a home birth because hospitals stress me out and stress can make the birth worse.

I love all of the positive answers! It is good to see that a lot of women really want to have more options available to them for THEIR birth. Your prenatals with a midwife are usually an hour or longer! You really end up knowing the person who is going to catch your baby! We had a beautiful homebirth/waterbirth in September 2008 and wouldn't do it any other way....unless we had to. Watch some movies like The Business of Being Born if you are really curious! Remember that hospitals are for sick people and giving birth is not an illness...it's natural!

They may feel more comfortable at home where they can relax in comfort after :)