I was also unsure about how DH would cope, and also about how 'we' would be as a couple afterwards - some of you may remember I had a bit of a meltdown about it!! Well, he ended up cutting the cord, I couldn't believe it, and although he wasn't there holding my hand I didn't really want him to... when I'm sick or in pain I don't like to be touched, so I had grand plans about him supporting me in all these different labour positions and when it came to it, I just wanted him there but not holding me. I think it was traumatic for him - I was quite loud (ok, I was so loud that apparently a med student visiting the birth centre ran into the corridor asking one of the other midwives if I was alright, he was very concerned LOL) when Sebastian was crowning and being born, and I think that was hard to hear. But apart from that he was honestly fantastic and he coped much better than even he thought he would. And it's only made our relationship stronger.

Good luck with your birth!