Author: Rachel Leavitt

Again from the student files, here is one student’s observations about different approaches to breathing during labor from a client interview. I find the idea of birth breathing very interesting. I have had 3 babies; my first was an epidural … Read More

  Guest blog from Christina Bartholomew who blogs at http://handsfullmom.blogspot.com/.  [This is the beginning of a serious highlighting why women make the choices they do during birth.  In this post Christina, a good friend of mine, discusses one of our … Read More

What is the purpose of a doula?  Scope of Practice Editor’s Note: Jessica Cartwright is one of our incoming students to recently be awarded a merit-based scholarship. As a part of the scholarship application process, we request that candidates complete … Read More

(This post originated from an assignment submitted by one of our students.  It is reproduced here with her permission. ) The Five Social Structures that Are Missing from Western Culture – How a Doula Can Make a Difference There are … Read More

The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping There are so many benefits to delayed cord clamping. Here is a list of benefits from numerous sources.  From “Midwife Thinking: The Placenta Essential Resuscitation Equipment” by Dr. Rachel Reed Allows fetal blood that … Read More

I was taught purple pushing as a nurse.  That’s what they call the way the pushing stage is done in the hospital.  The woman is on her back with her legs being held up.  She holds her breathe and pushes … Read More

Here’s another student response to the question: What does labor support mean to you?

Student Response by Cara Koehlerth (Editor Note: This was first submitted as an assignment in our program. This student’s response is reprinted here with her permission.) There are many different types of birthing classes & theories designed to explain labor … Read More

Did you know that Pitocin is the most commonly used drug for inductions in the US?  Did you also know that it is classified as a “high-alert” drug, and half of all paid legal claims involve pitocin? So why is … Read More

At New Beginnings we are often asked what exactly a doula can and can’t do, and what their limits to practice are when they hold other professional licenses and certification. This is a common question among doulas and the organizations … Read More