My MIL told me that when her mum had her children (early 1950's), she was knocked out just as the baby was about to arrive (ether, I think?) with her first two, and with her third and last baby, she was awake (because bubs arrived too quickly for the doctors).

My MIL when she had her first in 1973, was flat on her back, legs in stirrups and had an espitimony because the doctor was running late for a golf game - they whisked her baby away before she could cuddle him. She said that she lifted her torso up, saw a set of b@lls, thought to herself "oh its a boy" and then the baby was whisked off.

Really glad things have changed... REALLY GLAD!!