Required Books

The first two (2) books listed below are required for birth doula certification. The other three (3) books are required for postpartum doula certification. Required books for the program you plan to work on must be purchased separately from the registration itself. New Beginnings does not receive any money from your book purchases, and you may buy them from wherever you choose.

The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partner, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin
Homebirth in the Hospital: Integrating Natural Childbirth with Modern Medicine by Stacey Marie Kerr
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Hueng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger
The Sears Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears MD FRCP, Robert W. Sears MD, Martha Sears RN, James Sears MD
Nurturing the Family: A Doula’s Guide to Supporting New Parents by Jacqueline Kelleher

Optional Books

The following books are optional (not required), though they will increase your knowledge base.

Hypnobirthing – The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan
Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, Marjie Hathaway, Jay Hathaway, James Hathaway
The Official Lamaze Guide by Judith Lothian
The Nurturing Touch at Birth by Paulina Perez
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers : The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America by Jack Newman M.D., Teresa Pitman
Mothering the New Mother: Women’s Feelings & Needs After Childbirth: A Support and Resource by Sally Placksin

Additional Books

These books are given more for additional educational/entertainment value related to the topic of childbirth.

Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta by Ina May Gaskin
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