Just thought i'd open this up for discussion and see how unusual it is...
DH is squeamish and was deeply affected by bad experience watching first wife give birth to my stepson (all of 19 years ago!) I'm not mad keen on having him witness me in all states of indignity either and know he wouldn't be a calming presence as he'd get so agitated, so for the birth of our first son three years ago i hired a doula who was absolutely fabulous and was my main birthing partner. DH kind of floated about, coming in and out of the room as and when i wanted. it worked really well for us and we're going to do the same with our next baby. DH was a single father to my stepson for more than a decade and is a wonderful hands on parent - just doesn't enjoy seeing wife's fanjo splitting open etc. i sense it's quite unusual for blokes not to at least pretend to be keen on the whole thing. do we put too much pressure on them to be at our sides? would you be offended/upset if your DH didn't want to be your birthing partner?