Hidden Gems: Meet Rebecca Kaasa Belenky of Los Angeles Birth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Kaasa Belenky.

Hi Rebecca, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been supporting families as a doula through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum since 2014. My path toward birthwork began after the birth of my son. I had an incredible midwife and spouse who supported me in pregnancy and labor — I’d read all the books, taken the classes, and felt confident with a lot of knowledge. But still, it was SO challenging. I wasn’t prepared for was the transformation of myself that came with becoming a parent. No one talked about that part when I was a new parent — the identity shift, and the rebuilding of a new version of you that happens after birth. I was naive to think I was just going to be myself, just with a baby on my hip. It was so NOT the case for me.

That experience changed how I saw what true holistic support through the birth journey means. After my son’s birth, I went on to train as a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and lactation educator. To be able to offer doula care for the whole experience of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum time, in all the ups and down, the joy and the struggle.

Since then, I’ve supported hundreds of families all over Los Angeles — in homes, hospitals, and birth centers — and I’ve learned that every birth, every family, and every experience is unique.

My approach today focuses less on “teaching” and doing it “right” and more on helping families feel informed, grounded, and confident in their own instincts. Through Los Angeles Birth, I offer private childbirth education and doula support that meet families where they are — without judgment or agenda. Whether someone plans to birth at home, in a hospital, or with an epidural, I help them prepare for the experience of labor and the transformation into parenthood.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge of my life came with a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022. I noticed a lump and a few months later learned that it was already Stage 3C. It was an aggressive form of invasive lobular carcinoma. As you can imagine, it disrupted everything: my family, my work, my sense of identity, and the focus of our lives. I had to step back from supporting births full time and focus on treatment, which was both scary and clarifying.
As doulas, we often talk about holding space for big-life events, but facing cancer gave me a deeper understanding of what that means. I learned to ask for help, to rest, and to trust that there would be a season to return to doula work. It forced me to slow down and recognize how much of this work — and life — is about surrender, moving through unknowns.

Going through cancer treatment gave me another opportunity to practice self advocacy within a medical system that can feel overwhelming and impersonal. It strengthened my passion for advocacy and informed decision-making within our modern medical system.
Now, when I sit with expectant parents, I bring that seasoned perspective with me. I know how powerful it is to have the support of people who see you as a whole person with your own unique values and story. That is definitely something that has grown out of my own health challenge.
Coming through that season renewed my sense of purpose as a doula and educator. It reminded me why this work matters so much: every family deserves to feel supported, informed, and confident in their choices — especially during something as important as bringing new life into the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Los Angeles Birth?
Los Angeles Birth is a doula practice dedicated to supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period with education that is personalized, grounded, and judgment-free. I offer private childbirth education and doula support for families across Los Angeles — whether they’re preparing for a home birth, hospital birth, or a birth center birth.
What sets my practice apart is the level of personalization and the depth of care I bring to each family. My childbirth education sessions aren’t one-size-fits-all. We meet in the comfort of your own home and tailor our time around your specific needs, values, and circumstances. Together, we cover the stages of labor, how to communicate with your care team, how to create an environment that supports your birth goals, and how to prepare emotionally for the transition into parenthood.
I’m known for helping parents feel calm, informed, and confident — not by giving them a prescriptive plan, but by helping them find their own rhythm and voice in the process. My work draws on over a decade of experience attending births throughout Los Angeles, as well as my perspective as a cancer survivor who understands how essential advocacy and trust are in any medical setting.
My doula practice reflects my belief that education and support should leave parents feeling capable — not fearful — and that every family deserves care rooted in compassion and respect.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to help families feel empowered in their choices and connected in their experience. Because birth isn’t just about how your baby enters the world — it’s about how you begin your journey as a parent.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success is about alignment. It’s when my work, my values, and my energy all move in the same direction.
There was a time when I thought success meant staying busy — attending lots of births, filling my calendar, saying yes to everything. But, I’ve come to see success as something quieter and more sustainable. Success is when things are in balance. It’s the ability to do meaningful work while also honoring my own well-being and the needs of my family.
In my doula practice, success shows up in small, powerful moments — when a client says, “You made me feel calm,” or “Your presence made me feel safe.” Those are the markers that matter most to me in my work. When my clients leave feeling more confident, connected, and respected in their experience, that’s success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.losangelesbirth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belenkyrebecca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068968306864
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-angeles-birth-south-pasadena?osq=Doula
• Other: https://www.losangelesbirth.com/blog

Image Credits
Walter Belenky and Rebecca Belenky