I am currently 29 weeks with my first child. I am planning the birth to be at a birthing center with a midwife and to go all natural no pain meds at all. My question is for those that have hired a dula,.... is it worth it? My husband wants to be with me but he isn't sure how he is going to handle birth. He has helped birth many,many animals while working on a dairy farm but he isn't sure how he is going to handle me being in pain or discomfort. He's said birth doesn't bother him it's just that "I'm not a cow, I'm his wife and he care about me way more and doesn't like seeing me in pain." Anyway... I want to give him the freedom to be involved in birth as much as he wants but also give him the ability to step out if he needs. Since I have no one else to be with me I am considering a dula.

What is your experience?

Would you recommend having another woman that has been through birth with you during your first birth?

I am leaning towards hiring one as I like the idea of having a constant support during birth and someone that has been through this multiple times. Still I don't want to waste our money if it's not worth it. My midwife will be there with me but I'm not sure if I should have a dula there as well.