I just want to add its important - necessary to have a support person for the child/children. Someone trusted who is okay with the whole birthing procdss. A person who is likely to panic, or have a negative response is not the right person to have with you in your sacred space....

If you are having your baby in a hospital/birthing centre take your child/ren often so it becomes a very familiar place - this will help to keep them feeling comfortable.

My DD was 5 1/2 when her 1st sibling was birthed. She was fine - again tho she was very familiar with birth (her second birth really as once she had to tag along with me!) she fetched water, reported what my peri was doing... and generally kept busy. My DD4 I was breast feeding her sister - all the kids were in and out of the birthing pool during my labour. DD5 thinks all babies are born in pools!