To have a doula, or to not have a doula

Beth1031

I have been reading about doula's and am interested in possibly having one help me with my labor.... I want to try to have as natural a birth as possible and do not want to have an epidural.  This is both mine and DH first child.  My MIL kind of made fun of me and told me that they were useless when I mentioned that DH and I were considering looking into it.  Have any of you used a doula?  Pros/cons, any experiences you could share?  Thanks!