what mama needs

What does a mama in labor need??  She needs a dark or dimly lit space so that she can concentrate fully.   For the same reason, she needs it to be quiet.  Labor is intense and a woman really needs to focus through her contractions.  Part of that focus is working on staying relaxed.  So a dark or dimly lit space and quiet not only help her concentrate but also help create a more relaxed atmosphere.  The greatest need of a laboring woman is to be in a space that she feels comfortable and safe.  A non-threatening space with people she knows and trusts.
When a woman doesn't feel safe her body reacts and that reaction can interfere with her labor which can then stall or stop.  When a woman labors among strangers the same reaction can occur.  Our bodies will protect baby when it feels threatened or fearful.  This is why our bodies react in such a way when a stranger enters the room or if a woman isn't comfortable and is scared about what is happening. 
It's very important for a laboring woman to be surrounded by people she feels comfortable with in an atmosphere that she can relax.  Woman who do that generally labor faster because they feel supported and safe which allows their body to progress without interruption. 
As always, mama needs to be educated on the process.  That education adds to the comfort of knowing what's up and feeling safe.