Dad wasn't allowed in to share in the experience. He had to wait with all the other visitors in the waiting room, pacing the floors. Even if she is having a cesarean, most hospitals will allow one or two people in the operating room during the procedure. A well trained staff to help in case something goes wrong. All the necessary equipment needed to provide both mom and baby with the best of emergency medical care should the need arise.
Most hospitals encourage rooming in - where the baby stays with mom the entire time.
The availability of constant fetal monitoring. This sometimes helps to ease the mind of a laboring mom. A set amount of time is given to the laboring mom to produce results - otherwise medical action is taken. Forbiddence of food and drink during labor. Cost is considerably more than a home birth.