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@LindsayInNY: I did, but I gave birth at a very pro med free birth hospital with a group of midwives. The nurse and midwife were amazing- I don't know that I could have done it without them. I debated hiring a doula as well but never felt strongly enough about it to do the research.

I did, I also used a very natural birth friendly midwife group and hospital. My labor was also very fast. My husband was extremely helpful, although probably not in the same ways as a doula, he didn't really have the knowledge to suggest other positions etc. Mostly he was just really supportive. I also did hypnobabies and I think above all else that was the most helpful for my actual labor which was all at home.

I did! Two, actually I had a doula lined up for my first birth but she ended up in the ER while I was in labor and missed the whole thing. With DD I didn't even bother since I knew I could do it without one. Our birth classes and DHs support made all the difference for me.

ETA: I delivered in a hospital with and OB as my primary. I had a clear birth plan with DS and they respected it fully. I didn't have one with DD but they still did all the things I would've wanted them to do anyway.

@LindsayInNY: in my case, Dh would not have been enough. He just didn't know what to do or how to help without someone telling him. But out birth class wasn't that helpful anyway.

I ended up with a c-section because LO got stuck, but I definitely wouldn't have been able to get through 15 hours of labor (including 3 hours of pushing) med-free without my doula. And while it obviously wasn't what I wanted, it helped me a lot mentally to hear the doula say "We've done everything we possible can to get him out. You need a c-section."

For me, it wasn't really that DH wasn't a strong "voice" but in the hospital, the nurses are busy, and the OB only stops in for checks. My DH wasn't equipped to really offer the suggestions and support I would have needed to even try going med free. He would have totally been able to hold off the nurses and completely deny me the meds if thats what I had told him to do, but it would have been much easier with a Doula there that could have suggested different positions, moved the bed around, etc.

I did with my 2nd pregnancy so Im not sure if that counts. I had a doula for my first one and she was a great support system for my husband and I. I was in labor for over 18 hours and she was there almost the whole time which was amazing. We actually became friends but then one of her daughters got cancer and I couldnt ask her to be away from her when I was pregnant the 2nd time so we winged it and it was a lot faster and my husband was a wonderful support

I have had two but every birth here in Germany is automatically midwife attended. Normally the doctor comes in for the actual delivery. For my second birth he didn't make it in time.

@theotherstark: this is how I felt.

I had a doula because everyone swore it was needed to go med-free. She was annoyed before we ever started because I was induced (PIH, per her I didn't push hard enough to not be uhhh no high blood pressure is bad for me and baby) and so we just never clicked and she just annoyed me. It was actually the first thing my dh said when we were talking about birth this time, "doula free in 2015!" Lol

So to me it is not needed it requires a lot of dedication and as long as you can be stubborn enough to outlast your labor you'll be fine. I had a midwife in an OB group, she told me it was my choice but she had an epidural and would recommend it.

@jetsa: It also helps if you have nurses that are on your side! That was the best about my hospital. The nurses knew my birth preferences and never even offered me drugs. The one time I asked, my nurse (God bless Ashley) told me that I was almost done and didn't need it. I delivered within the hour. I hope you have great nurses for this birth!

I delivered med free in a hospital with an OB, no doula. For me, it was all about the nurses. Once they knew I wanted to go med free, they got me in the tub and didn't bring up pain management at all.

I did get induced and was given some oxygen & a bit of fentanyl late in the pushing stage, but I labored mostly without drugs & didn't feel "pushed" into anything. I didn't have a doula - just my husband, CNM, and a great nurse.
I second The Birth Partner. It was exactly what we needed to read for my husband to be prepared to help me. I'd say only you know if your husband can replace a doula as an advocate/coach. Is he calm in tense situations? Is he comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and taking a "leadership" role around medical professionals? It took some research & serious communication skills (before & during) to have my husband help me during labor. I'm glad we did though - we both enjoyed the experience.

Yep we did! At a smallish regional Hospital in Canada. no one offers drugs automatically so If you don't bring it up - they won't. I wasn't even overly opposed to them it just never happened for me.

@LindsayInNY: I'm about half way through our bradley classes and I think taking them will really help you decide. Which instructor are you taking the class with? I wonder if it is the same as me and DH we are leaning towards not hiring a doula, but like others I am with a Midwife group that is well respected in the hospital so we won't be bothered by the OB or nurses on call unless we want them. I'm also open to pain meds, if I feel I need them, though obviously I'm doing what I can to be able to go med free as well. What I love about the bradley classes so far is how it has really brought DH's involvement to the next level- it really engages him and teaches him things that maybe I knew but he didn't. It's really brought us together even more!

@LindsayInNY: We are taking Mary Esther Malloy's Bradley classes at the recommendation of my midwife group, FWIW. Let me know if you have any questions about it! I do think waiting and seeing can't hurt. Once you and your partner get more exposure to what to expect, then you'll be more informed about what you think you'll need to have the best shot at the type of birth you're hoping for. I'm mostly trying to be really gentle with myself about my birth plan/ expectations of myself and the experience, so that's my approach. I'm still a bit on the fence about a doula or not, so I totally hear you on that question!

I had a med-free birth without a doula in a hospital with an OB/GYN. I am terrified of epidurals so I think I only would have had meds if medically needed. I took Bradley method classes so I had an idea of what unnecessary interventions might look like. But ultimately I lucked out with an easy, quick labor where there wouldn't have even been time for an epidural if I had wanted it. Probably biology helped out 80%, Bradley method 10% (keeping me relaxed), and the remaining 10% being luck that nothing happened to make the docs/nurses concerned.

@LindsayInNY: I HIGHLY recommend getting as many professionals as you can to help you if you want to go med free. I also think it depends on your SO's personality. DH and I took Bradley classes, which I also recommend, but truth be told DH doesn't have the outgoing personality to be my "doula," which is sort of what those classes train a SO to be. If I wanted to go med free I would hire a team of professionals to help me. I had to direct DH during labor... and no one wants to do that!