Who decides who is in the delivery room?

With my first, there were some complications with his health when he was born. (I had a really high fever-strep b back before they tested and then he got 'stuck' and was pulled when a c-section should have been performed-at least that is what I was told afterwards-so both concern for strep b and some breathing issue from the actual birth.) He spent about 1 1/2 in the NICU.

When he was born his APGAR score was low enough that they bundled him up and all but ran to the NICU. I have a pretty good sized family, but it was only my mom who was waiting outside the room. She tells of how terrifying it was to hear the room go quiet and then the nurse fly out of the room with the first born.

If there had of been a party in the room, I can't even imagine how complicated it would have been medical staff to deal with both the difficulty of a baby who was stuck and then the decision to take him to the NICU. It happened in an instant.

If I had to have just ONE person I'd choose my husband's Mom, not him. 

I would feel more comfortable with my mil/fil.  They volunteer as Spanish translators at a hospital, so they are always in delivery rooms.  I think they are in for c-sections too.  So it would be nothing new for them. 

I'm enjoying reading all the different ways the peas are saying it. My naked vagina, my choice. And frankly, the only person I wanted there was my husband and my own mother.

The mother, but hopefully the son is on the same page.

My mother was not happy that I just wanted dh and i, but we stuck to our guns with both kids. Mil didn't really care as she was a labor and delivery nurse, she just wanted to be there soon after

This. X1,000,000

I am sure this has already been said, but NO ONE has the right to bully a pregnant Mum into being in the delivery room. Not Mother's, Not MIL's, Not sister's, NOT friends of anyone, NO ONE!!! It makes my blood boil the entitlement that some people walk around with. The Mum has the final say, end of story! Last time I was in a birthing room (birthing my OWN baby) I am pretty sure my DH was not walking or laying around bearing his privates to the room, so in my opinion he does not have a choice in the matter either. Her body = her choice who is there.

I think we are all wondering this.  My only guess is that since she hasn't gone through labor herself, she just doesn't know how very personal (and long) the event can be for most women.  Perhaps she is just desensitized from watching television and believes she has earned the right.  I know, I don't get it either.  

I am stunned that the tv station would film, let alone air footage, without the consent of those being filmed. The woman in question was not in public, so there was no implicit consent to have herself being filmed. I would have gotten a lawyer and sued the hospital and the tv station.

In full agreement with everyone else. Next time she "jokes," your DD can laugh along, and then say, "You do know it's not really going to happen, right?" I can't even imagine what she and the MIL are thinking. I only have a son, and while I think it would be a wonderful thing to be there to support my daughter, I don't have a daughter. I'm sure I'll love my DIL, and I may even be super close to her, but still don't think I would want to be in the room. Unless we were even closer than I can imagine right now and she wanted me for support. I doubt I'll have that kind of relationship with future DIL, but you never know.

I have a BFF with two boys that I've known since they were in utero, and I love them both. I'm like an aunt to them. I wouldn't even expect to know that their wife was in labor, unless BFF called me because she wanted support. I know she would never want to be in the room with her DIL giving birth, so I would be supporting her in the waiting room. I am also an actual aunt, to 7 nephews and 4 neices. Can't imagine being in the room for any of their childrens' births.

I was in the room for the birth of the oldest nephew, because my brother and SIL asked me to film it. I went in the room immediately after second nephew was born because I had gone down to check on my sister, and the doctor told me I could go in. I thought he meant she still wasn't ready to deliver, or I wouldn't have intruded. She didn't mind, and I think my BIL was happy to have me there to ooh and ahh over the precious new baby with him while my sis was being sewed up and not able to participate yet. I stayed less than a minute so they could have family bonding time.

My mom was in the room with me when DS was born because I didn't have a DH. I probably would have wanted my mommy anyway. Although after all that labor, I barely knew who was there and absolutely didn't care. It was probably weird for my doctor. The last time he was in the same room with me and my mother, it was when he delivered me.

I guess I can't understand how this is even a question.

I agree with everyone else that the mom to be gets to decide who is there, period. If others don't like it, too stinking bad.

...as a side note, this is probably in the top 5 list of topics that the peas can all agree on

DD's decision all the way. Even SIL doesn't have a say. I think it's rude forcanyone to pressure or guilt DD in any way. I wanted DH only! It was a private thing between us. That was my choice.

When my sister had her first, she wanted a party in her room. That is not me.

I feel bad DD even has to deal with this!