Well, it's not like that stool is standard equipment here in the Netherlands at all. I never saw it before, so I don't know who made that up. It is true that home-delivery is the preferred birthing method here, though, been like that a long time, and no, it's none more risky than rushing to the hospital first. Remember, giving birth isn't a disease, it's quite natural :). Of course all precautions are taken to keep it as hygenic and safe as possible.