You can feel their presence and you feel the presence of these activists everywhere, and they really have transformed the atmosphere of the building -- as they do at all the best United Nations events.

UN: TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT HEADQUARTERS, 27 JUNE 2001

My wife, Fran, my son, Jay, and daughter-in-law, Jessica, and her mother, Reesa (ph), the two grandchildren whom Jay and Jessica have given us, Manachem (ph), 22 months, and Brakof (ph), four days -- her first White House event, Mr. President -- my son, Brian (ph), his fiance, Erin (ph), my dear mother, Sylvia, my mother-in-law, Sarah Taylor, and only our fathers are missing, but I feel their presence very strongly here, for their unstinting love, their support, their devotion, and their sacrifice during my public service.

CNN: Transcript provided by FDCH

He also claimed that some women might feel inhibited in the presence of their partner, and this might lead them to opt for a Caesarean, or for painkilling drugs, when they might otherwise persevere with a natural delivery.

BBC: 'Keep men out of delivery room'

Internet communities might provide similar support, but it often wouldn't be nearly as instant, and the lack of a face-to-face presence might make it harder for people to feel motivated enough to really craft their work.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Citizen journalist: My week