I've had 2 previous awful labours (well one wasn't even a labour LOL). A CS with DS1, with no labour at all, and a horrendous VBAC with DS2 (induced, failed pain relief, assisted delivery, huge tear and espisiotomy (sp) etc etc). I'd never been into labour on my own and was convinced my body just wasn't up to the job.
DS3 was totally unplanned, but once I fell pg with him I knew that I wanted to try and have the best birth possible, even if it was all guns blazing heavily assisted and possibly even CS. To start with (we first met quite early on - when I was about 24 weeks IIRC) we talked about what had happened in previous labours/births - and that alone was fantastic for me - as I'd never really talked properly to anyone about those birth experiences. She helped me realise that even if things did go arse over tit again then I could still have a positive birth experience if I felt that I was the one in control (I still feel I had little say in my 1st 2).
Because of my previous history of waters breaking and not spontaneously going into labour she did loads of research for me (and sent me the info) on possible ways to prevent them going early again, and ways to try and encourage labour to start naturally (ie without induction) should it happen again.
We talked about what I really hoped for (stay at home as long as possible, no/limited monitoring, mobile, gas and air only, NO pethidine etc etc) so that she had a clear idea of what I would want to say "no" to in the hospital and so that we could also discuss the "if that doesn't happen x, y z are my next preferences).
When I went into labour (all on my own ) it was pretty quick (well from the time I realised "oh I think I really AM in labour" ) so she only arrived once I was already in the hospital. Once she arrived I'd already been there for about 1 1/2hrs (not her fault - the distance from me to her was quite some way - and she was visiting her son slightly further away again - and there was an accident on the motorway) but she was able to help me (repeatedly) tell various senior members of staff (MW's themselves were fine about it) that I DIDN'T want monitoring. Also helped me refuse the Cannula (sp) (my contractions while not particularly long were very intense and close together once things got going so I was having a little difficulty in getting information across LOL.
She massaged my back and tried various reflexology(?) points and gave me a homeopathic remedy whatsit (not sure if they worked - but was a good placibo anyhow). She also encourage me to try different positions (part of the problem with DS2's delivery was that I was flat on my back the entire time ) - the furthest she managed to convince me to move was from the birthing ball onto the bed on my knees leaning over the back........and I then point blank refused to move an inch until DS3 was actually born
When I was nearly fully dilated (which I didn't believe as a) I'd only been in the hospital 3 1/2hrs and b) because I'd not had another internal ) I was demanding loudly that I "Wanted an epidural NOW"........she managed to calmly tell me that I really didn't need one (or want one) . Lots and lots of encouraging words, and when DS3 was finally born not only did I feel elated that my body had done it all on it's own, but she made me feel really proud of myself - the doubts I had before having him really did make me believe I just couldn't deliver a baby on my own.
She was also really good at getting DH "involved" (you know how men can be really lovely, but feel a bit "useless" when you're in labour LOL) and even though I had a "dream" delivery when she did her postnatal visit it was still really good to talk about the whole thing with her - filled in little bits which I'd forgotten.
I know that's probably just a load of waffle I've just written, I guess in someways it hard to describe exactly how I feel she helped me - but at the same time I'm 100% certain things wouldn't have gone that well without her support.
Oh and she also got DH to take a picture - which although I was shocked when I first saw it is one I'll treasure (search for posts by fannyannie and click on her profile if you want to see what I'm talking about ).