We had DD1 with us for the birth of DD2.

She wasnt freaked out by it, just quiet. Both DH and I really believe it helped with their bonding and overall relationship with each other.

We still talk about DD2's birth and DD1 will talk about it like she remembers it well. Although Im not sure how much she actually remembers in truth. She talks about certain stuff that is true. And she wants to be present when sprout is born, she actually asked us this before we brought it up with her. So we are planning on both of them being there for the event.

With DD2 I was only in hospital for a couple of hrs in total and after birth. So we got there, had DD2, Dh and DD1 went out when the shops opened and did some shopping and had brekky. Then they picked DD2 and me up from hospital and we went home by lunchtime.

Dh and I have an understanding about what it means to bring the girls in and we have an action plan to use if we need to, if the girls need us to.