Author: Rachel Leavitt

Client Confidentiality and New Beginnings Confidentiality is an important part of the standards of a New Beginnings Doula.  It is imperative that clients’ information be kept private and out of the public realm, (unless permission has been given to share.)  … Read More

A nurturing doula can help empower women.  “[C]aregiving professionals can seek new ways to nurture and empower [women]…during labor and birth.”-Paulina Perez To nurture is defined as “the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone … Read More

Doula Cesarean Support? Many women who use doulas are looking to have a natural birth without medications.  Occasionally, though, emergencies happen, plans change, and a c-section is neccesary.   I often get questioned on what doula cesarean support to help … Read More

In my writings, and perhaps those of others, you may have seen the term physiologic birth.  In order to understand why I choose to use this term and how to provide support for a physiologic birth, I thought it might … Read More

Shaking during labor can be common. This video provides a quick look at when it happens, what may cause it, and how you help support a women who is experiencing the shivers during labor. References: Shivering and shivering-like tremor during … Read More

Currently, many positions are underutilized when it comes to women pushing during the second stage. The typical position is on the back with the legs held up or in stirrups. But more and more, we are understanding, and women are … Read More

In order to answer this, let’s first look at what the research says about the different forms of labor support and how they compare. One of the major research groups that analyses current research has found that women who receive … Read More

  Advocate: the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; Typically, women giving birth have not been adequately prepared for the choices they will be faced with.  They often have not discussed the pros and cons with their providers, nor … Read More

Pelvic stability is also a factor that needs to be taken into account when discussing pelvic space and mobility.  When certain muscles are not being used and have lost their strength, other joints, ligaments, or muscles have to take over … Read More

A recent discussion with a family member has led me to look into more research concerning the use of the AFI(Amniotic Fluid Index). The AFI is used to determine whether an overdue mother should be induced. Coincidentally, the bloggers at … Read More