But mid-way through their pregnancy they attended an information night at the request of their midwife, and after hearing from other couples who had tried it they were sold.

On September 20 last year, their second child, a son named Leo Rahvi weighing 3.44 kilograms, was born at home.

Mrs Shadmaan was one of the lucky few in Canberra who fitted neatly into the criteria for a home birth, as part of the ACT government’s three-year trial.

Location, at least one previous healthy pregnancy, overall health of mum and baby, mum’s age, baby’s position, no water birthing… a raft of rules are in place for the trial to ensure its success.

Midwives who are part of the program hope that in a year’s time, when the trial is over, the criteria can be expanded and more women can be eligible to take part. But for now, they’re focused on finding as many women as possible who fit the existing criteria to bolster numbers and spread the word that home birth is not a "hippy" option.

Midwife of 30 years, Ann Clark, talked the Shadmaan's into giving birth at home. Ultimately, her confidence and knowledge was what decided for them.

"This is not an out-there hippy-type thing, this is mainstream," Ms Clark said.

"It's a very well put together trial, and it's been very successful."

Two years into the trial, 19 babies have been born (and one is due imminently).

Two women were taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution after giving birth, but they were released a few hours later. If all goes well, mother and baby don’t have to visit the hospital until they’re due for a hearing test and vaccinations.

For Mrs Shadmaan, that was just one of the benefits.

Her first labour with now two-and-a-half year-old Eva, who was born in hospital, took about 12 hours. The second labour, with Leo, took just three. She attributes that to a number of things, including being in her own environment at home, with her husband and her trusted midwives by her side.

The lights were off, the candles were on, the pizza was delivered in the midst of it and then the baby was born.

“It was surprisingly fast,” Mrs Shadmaan said.

Mr Shadmaan supported her throughout and despite his wife's insistence not to answer the door for the pizza - it was about 7pm and they hadn't eaten - he did and put it in the fridge for later.

Mr Shadmaan felt he was able to be more involved and more supportive during the home birth, rather than in the clinical setting at the hospital. He said encouraging more home births is all about changing perceptions.

“Particularly dads are probably fearful. We play a supporting role, we’re a cheerleader at best. It can be quite daunting for the dad because we’ve got no control over the process.”

“What was I doing? While she was in labour I was copping abuse,” he laughs.

“No, it wasn’t that bad.”

The Shadmaan's are now huge advocates for home birth. Mr Shadmaan has since learnt that if everything goes right, there’s barely any mess. And that having a pizza in the fridge for after the main event is actually a fantastic idea.

“If you can do it, you’ve got to do it. It is a pretty magical experience, but you don’t actually know what that means until you go through it," he said.

The Canberra Hospital is hosting an information night on Friday, January 18, at 5.30pm in the birth centre for those wanting to find out more about birthing at home. The Shadmaan's will be guests on the evening. For more information phone Ann Clark on 0481 012 316.