Also chocolate. I never under estimate the moral boosting power of chocolate.

Frustratingly I noticed the "guest bedrooms" near the wards in our maternity hospital on the way out with my four day old son.

I definately felt that having a few hours sleep was really beneficial during the birth process. MLW was very tired, (close to exhausted) and full of a cocktail of several pain killers and other chemicals and my ability to translate what the doctor was saying in English into stoned, tired, anxious, pained MLW-ees was useful. I think had I had four hours proper sleep lying down with a blanket I'd have been able to do a better job.