I love my doula too (hi kelly!). But I didn't have her for my HB. My main reason for having her was to help me if I needed to go into battle in labour, or to provide me with continuity of care of I was transferred from the birth centre. It felt odd not to book her in second time around but it was an extra expense I couldn't justify as I had to already pay for two MWs (the one I chose attends births in teams of two) and they would transfer with me if needed.