Even though Elizabeth was born at 2.20am, Diane and I sat up talking till 5am! Everyone else was gone and we had cups of tea and bikkies and generally marvelled about how amazing the birth was, went over it in fine detail.
I had only met Diane once, but had spoken to her over the phone a few times (I didn;t get her organised until about 5 weeks before my due date), so I didn't really know her that well, but her enthusiasm and support was so reassuring.
Actually paying a doula well will make you feel better as they do so much for you. It should be fully funded by the govt to provide a doula/birth attendent for each birth. Could you imagine how brilliant that would be!