My philosophy as a doula is simple. So simple, in fact, that I barely have one.

But if I had to narrow it down, it would go something like this: You are the expert in your body. You are the single, foremost expert in your life. You are the number one expert in your experiences. While I am thrilled to join your support team to show you awesome comfort measures for labor and birthing, provide resources throughout your pregnancy to make the most informed decisions possible, to guide you through mapping your ideal birth and helping you channel your innate power to make it happen, I will never waver in the notion that you know your body, you know your baby, you know your life, and you know what’s best for you and your family. I will be your guide, advocate, resource-hunter, partner(s’)-cheerleader, and more. But most importantly, I will bow to your preferences and decisions.

Whether you’re pregnant for the first time or the 10th, having a planned and anticipated birth or are still catching up to the idea of this surprise, whether you have a massive support team or only plan to birth with the support of a doula, if you’re having a water birth at home or a planned cesarean birth in the hospital, whether you have read all the books and done all of your research or don’t know where to begin—I’ve got you. And you’ve got this.