When I had my then 5 year old attend her sisters birth, I had no idea the impact it would have on her- or my cousin, husband and mom. I went the traditional hospital route with my first but the second was midwife, birthcenter and the impact that it had on all in attendance still astounds me today.
I was simply doing what I felt was best for me but my cousin, mom and daughter were forever changed by the experience.
My husband is so easy going that he pretty much just goes along with things so being that he doesn't actually give birth, the impact is not necessarily so great.
My cousin however, because I'd spoken to her often about my experience with the midwives and she attended the birth, when she became pregnant, she went to the same place and intended on giving birth there as well. In the end, because of complications, she had to give birth in the hospital via c-section but it was a true emergency. She was well informed and though she didn't have the birth she'd planned for, she wasn't forced into having an unnecessary c-section as most who have c-sections unknowingly are.
My daughter, now 8 years old has been impacted pretty dramaticaly. I overheard her saying that she plans to have all her children at home provided the pregnancies are healthy and it is safe to do so. Also, because of attending her sisters birth, she has very strong opinions about the subject and is far more informed than most adults who've had several children.
My mom, lol. She was totally against my having a homebirth with my second child but once she experienced my birthcenter birth, she had no objections at all when I stated that my next would be born at home. She is now excited about and takes an interest in midwifery and is looking forward to my upcoming homebirth.
I never set out to change people's minds about birth at all. I just knew what I wanted but the results have been amazing. More and more are informed because of lil ole me.
And you know what they say... "Knowledge is Power".