have you been present when someone gave birth

[lilmamma]

my daughter and her partner are expecting their first baby in december.My daughter wants me to be in the room with them.They are both only just 17,and naturally nervous.

\the thing is I have had 4 children,but never been down the other end,and also i did my own thing.Has anyone been to a birth,and how much did they get involved.

I know like how to tell her how to use the gas etc,but dont want to go in and look as if im taking over,but then again want to help my daughter as much as i can.

any ideas ?

I think it is lovely that they have asked you.

I would say that it is not your job to get involved, or tell her how to do anything, unless there is a crisis and they need help calming down to make a decision, or someone to show them how to be assertive and ask questions. You facilitate that, if necessary by asking a question and then asking them how they feel about the answer and see if they pick up from there.

Even though they are very young, your job is to defer to them as parents, so that they take on that role jointly. Be there, be encouraging, but discreet and enjoy it.