This Might Be Controversial But...

Avoid the presence of anybody who might release adrenaline.

No matter what their title is.

 “Mother”, “Grandmother”, “Aunt”, “Mother in Law’, “Sister”, etc...

 This is near and dear to my heart. I feel so deeply for the woman who shares with me that people close to her have said they do not have faith in her ability to birth naturally. We work so hard during prenatal visits to undo the emotional damage that creates, the confidence it destroys. If those people then attend the birth it causes a battle in the atmosphere. Choose wisely what words and people enter your space.

-Sheila Brown LM, CPM

The best situation I know for an easy birth is when there is nobody else around than an experienced, motherly and silent midwife who does not behave like a guide or an observer.

 - Michel Odent