There's probably no time when you need more support then when you are in the midst of labor and childbirth. Physically, you can't do much for yourself but focus on overcoming the latest contraction and finding the most comfortable position. And emotionally you are in need of support, reassurance and a really good cheerleader to keep you going when you just want to call it a day. This is why it is so important to have a supportive and helpful birth team behind you.

One mother, let's call her Lucy, from Cleveland, Ohio, is in her third trimester, anxiously awaiting the big day and doing prep work for her birth. "We had our hospital tour and got to see the labor and delivery rooms," she says. "The tour was guided by a couple of the nurses, but you don't know who will be on duty until you get there. The nurses said it's usually just one nurse and one doctor, unless the doctor needs extra help or they suspect fetal distress."

Lucy has assembled a small birth team, with just her husband being there for support. "My husband and I decided that we wanted this to be a special 'us' time," she says.

When putting together your birth team, there are many options to choose from. But how do you know which people to pick for your team?

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