Rebecca Belenky birth doula services los angeles birth NELA

Meet Your Birth Guide

Los Angeles Birth Doula

Pregnancy can bring up a lot of emotions — excitement, anticipation and also anxiety.

Facing birth and the big life changes that come with a new baby can feel both thrilling and overwhelming all at once. It’s natural to want someone steady by your side.

That’s where I come in. As your doula, I offer thoughtful preparation, compassionate presence, and calm support through every stage of the journey — from the planning and questions, to the unpredictable turns that birth brings.

Birth is wild, beautiful, and transformative. You don’t have to navigate it alone. My role as your doula is to listen, encourage, and help you feel confident and cared for — no matter how your story unfolds.

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What does a Birth Doula even do?

A birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth. Unlike a medical provider, my role isn’t to make decisions for you — it’s to help you feel informed, respected, and supported as you make choices that are right for you.

Why Choose Doula Support?

An experienced doula can connect you with providers who align with your preferences
To have a steady, calming presence throughout labor
To reduce anxiety by having someone who knows the birth process
To help partners feel seen
To have guidance navigating choices and communicating with providers
To feel seen as whole people — not just patients

Research shows that doula support is linked to shorter labors, fewer interventions, and more positive birth experiences. But more importantly, my clients tell me they felt empowered, heard, and cared for.

What’s Included in My Birth Doula Support

Prenatal meetings to discuss your hopes, concerns, and birth preferences
Continuous labor support at home, birth center, or hospital
Comfort measures such as breathing techniques, movement, massage, and positioning
Partner support so your partner feels confident and connected
Postpartum visits to reflect on your birth and support your early days at home
Unlimited phone/text support during pregnancy and postpartum for questions or reassurance

Here are support topics that can be covered in our prenatal preparation sessions together:

Education & Preparation
Prenatal sessions to discuss your vision, goals, and preferences for birth
Suggestions for comfort during pregnancy
Access to evidence-based information
An individualized birth plan
Hospital politics - advocacy, informed decision making, consent

Breathwork and preparation for labor coping

Lactation preparation, information and support
Postpartum preparation plan
Newborn care education
Spinning Babies for prenatal comfort and labor prep

Preparation for labor coping
Aromatherapy
TENS machine
Babywearing instruction
Pumping plan
Local Referrals for body work and care providers

in my life and work

Ideas That I ReturnTo

One

I believe that choices in birth are rarely black or white.

Two

Perfection is a myth and the status quo deserves to be challanged.

Three

We need community and supportive people around us.

Client Testimonials

“We feel so blessed to have crossed paths with Rebecca Belenky.

We had our first conversations in the 2nd trimester, and Rebecca brought a serenity and sensitivity that immediately put us at ease. During labor, she was an integral part of our homebirth team, and provided support for both me and my partner. And we’ll never forget Rebecca’s postpartum care when she gave us knowledge and perspective that helped offset the most bewildering aspects of new parenthood. Through it all, she was compassionate and patient and gentle and nurturing.

We feel so grateful to have had her with us during this transformation.”

-Corinna & Harris, Beverly Hills, CA

Certifications & Accreditations

Trained and certified as a doula with DONA 2014
Spinning Babies Workshop with Gail Tully and Nicole Morales
Certified Lactation Educator, Breastfeed Los Angeles
Hypnobirthing Training for doulas with Ellie Shea
Childbirth Educator Training with DTI
Rebozo Techniques with Naoli Vinaver
Apprenticeship with Britta Bushnell

Doula Support FAQs

When do we begin our work together?

I am available for phone calls and emails when you hire me. We start our in-person meetings around 30 weeks where we begin to dig deeper into preparation and getting ready for labor, birth, and life with your newborn.

When do you usually join us in labor?

The short answer is: it depends. It is hard to describe because it can look so many ways.

Usually the plan is to join you once active labor is established and you voice a need for my physical presence. A big factor in this decision is how you are coping with the intensity and pain of labor. I am in contact via phone and text through the early phase of labor, reassuring, normalizing, and offering guidance until it feels necessary to join you in person at your home, or at the hospital/birth center. I remain open to the unpredictability of labor. I do my best to respond in the moment to what is happening and supporting the (sometimes epic) journey to meeting your baby to the best of my ability.

What happens if I get an induction? What kind of support can I expect?

Just as in spontaneous labor, I provide phone support during the early stages of labor=induction process. This usually looks like walking you through what to expect and how to support optimal positioning of the baby and getting a handle on how to advocate and communicate your wishes with your medical team. As the process continues, I join you in-person after active labor is established. I stay with you until after the baby is born through the Golden Hour. In both an induction or a spontaneous labor my goal is to ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions for your body and your baby, and that you have a positive and supportive birthing experience.

What LA hospitals do you most often work in?

I live in South Pasadena, so Huntington Hospital is very close to me. I have supported countless families at that birthing location. The next most visited hospital for me is Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills. Finally the Kaiser Permanente Hospital system is also a very popular place to give birth in Los Angeles. If you are still deciding where do give birth, check out my blog that explores where to give birth in Los Angeles. There are a lot of options!

What is the cost of your doula services?

In Los Angeles, investing in an experienced doula is one of the most meaningful steps you can take toward a positive and empowering birth and postpartum experience. I offer different tiers of support tailored to your specific needs. Learn more about holistic doula care packages cost.

What are the steps in hiring you as our doula?

1— Book a discovery call. I look forward to getting to know you and your partners specific desires for support!

2— Want to hire me? Great! A deposit will secure your spot in my calendar and some paperwork will follow to make it official.

3— Once you become my client, you will get immediate access to resources, referrals, and personalized support from me. I can be your google and guide you toward information that is individualized to your needs and values.