My dad was there. I was something like the 12th baby to be born at the Women's Birth Centre here in Melbourne. Although it was different then, mum still had her Ob (who is also my Ob ), and then checked into Frances Perry after the birth! Now that would be my ideal situation! But I digress......

Dad was there, he was very insistent on a drug free labour, and mum (although a little less set on the idea) felt much the same way. So mum laboured for 30 hours, only having some gas at the end. When I finally came out (posterior) Dad decided he was the one who felt faint, and mum felt a bit like 'what about me?'. This seems to be a recurring theme in this thread TBH, although he was there for the whole thing, it doesn't sound like he did much, but I guess it wasn't the norm for dads to be at the birth then (although not unheard of), so no one probably thought of what they could do to help. I'm so glad things are different now, I feel we are very, very lucky! My DH was simply brilliant, marvellous birth support. Can't imagine doing it without him.

ETA Great thread Alexis