I've considered having a friend in with me for this birth, just as another person to support me and to give suggestions you know? Last birth it was mainly DH that was my support, my midwife was in and out of the room a lot, and I didn't feel like I got a lot of support from her - not for me anyway - I think I needed people by my side all the time reassuring me of my body's ability to birth naturally, because I had a LOT of doubts that I could do it.

So if I was to have anyone I would want them to offer stuff, like, try the shower for pain relief, try the bath, walk around, sway your hips - that kind of thing. DH and I just sorta fumbled through it on our own, and I spent a lot of time on the toilet and I think I would have preferred to have tried swaying and stuff like that... you know? DH didn't think of suggesting it, and I'm not sure why - but neither did my midwife. Nothing was suggested at all.

Definitely talk to her first though and see how she feels about her first birth, what happened in it, and any fears she has with this one coming up