Doula questions.
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Agree with Kate. This will in no way exclude your husband. This gives you an extra pair of hands and someone to help advocate for you as you get stressed out. There is research that birth outcomes are improved with a doula's independent. My midwife was very pro doula when I asked her for my first pregnancy. Now, doula's come in all shapes and sizes. I had a really good recommendation to talk to a few before selecting one. It's a very personal decision, and you want one with a personality/style you will work well with. Doulas also offer different levels of support. Some just do pre-birth education. Some hospital support and there are also doulas who do post partum support to help you with the newborn. Some do all of them. It really just depends on what you need. For example, I'm pregnant with my second so I might not sign up for all the pre-birth classes.
As amazing and supportive as your husband is, he is still a man who has no idea what’s about to happen lol and neither do you, because every single birth is different and unable to plan for. It’s really nice having a doula there to support you in whatever happens. And, the doula is also there to support your husband. Both of you. With that said, if you have the means to hire one, I would call a few and interview them and go with the one who makes you feel the most comforted and safe. Depending on where you deliver, you might be laboring alone in your room. The nurses are busy, so to have an experienced woman in the room helping you through the process and advocating for you is pretty amazing.
I’ve recently learned a lot about postpartum doulas! They offer support after the baby comes - they make warm nourishing meals for you, clean the house, help you with feeding/changing, belly binding, help you navigate emotional/hormonal changes, etc. Definitely considering one for us!
We took a class from a doula, and we asked her what the benefit would be. Essentially she told us that it would be to help slow things down. Helping us not worry at home before going to the hospital/going too soon. Reminding us and the medical staff that we are allowed to take our time with decisions unless it's an emergency. Helping to give the partner a break if they need food or rest in a long labor so someone is always with mom.