THE BUDDHA BELLY BLOG
Pregnancy Diabetes: What Is Gestational Diabetes?
What is Pregnancy Diabetes / Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)? According to Stanford Children’s Health, pregnancy diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, is “a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by other hormones…
Doula Help in the Hospital
One of the different ways that families can use postpartum doula support from Buddha Belly is while still in the hospital, before discharge. Here are a couple of scenarios where we have provided help in the hospital as postpartum doulas. After a cesarean birth. Recovering from this major surgery can be very difficult, especially when caring…
Three Babies – Pregnancy Infant Loss Awareness Month
I’ve loved this song, Three Babies, by Sinéad O’Connor since I was a teenager. I know every word to the entire album if I’m being honest. In addition to her beautiful voice, the emotion in this song is unbelievably raw and captivating. Each person may find different meaning in the lyrics. Since October is Pregnancy…
Breastfeeding Support in Tampa Bay
Let’s just start this conversation by saying if you don’t want to breastfeed, that is OKAY. It is your body and you get to make the choice about everything that happens to it. If you want to breastfeed and then change your mind, that is OKAY too. You don’t need to validate that choice to…
What Is Vernix Caseosa?
No, your newborn isn’t dirty! That’s vernix caseosa, a powerfully protective, “water proof” coating that covers baby’s skin in utero and prevents heat loss after birth. Vernix can aid in the passage through the birth canal and act as a physical barrier against bacteria. It’s also theorized that vernix helps in the development of healthy…
Birth Plans Can Change
“When our birth plan changed and I needed a surgical birth, my doula held my hand in the operating room and helped us to stay calm.” – Haley, St. Pete Beach Birth plans can change, like Haley describes. Many people (mistakenly) think birth doula support is only for a “natural” birth or vaginal birth. What…
Breastfeeding Can Be Challenging
Breastfeeding can be challenging, that’s true. It can take time to establish the breastfeeding relationship between you and your baby. Most women find the challenging parts to be in the beginning and early weeks. Once breastfeeding is established, it can be a breeze and any hiccups can be addressed with little fanfare. So how can…
Overnight Care after Baby
Did you know that Buddha Belly postpartum doulas can work overnight in your house? It’s true! If you’re like most of our clients, sleep is VERY important. You’ve just given birth and your body has been put through the ringer. You’re breastfeeding your baby and together learning this new skill. You’re learning your baby’s noise,…
Breastmilk: Is My Baby Getting Enough?
Is my baby getting enough breastmilk? This is the number one question we get from new parents. This is a totally normal question to have – after all, most of us have seen bottle-feeding and it is very easy to measure baby’s intake from a bottle! Your newborn should be drinking breastmilk at the breast…
Not Everyone Wants or Needs Doula Support
Not everyone wants or needs doula support. And that’s okay. There, we said it. And it’s true. We do believe that every birthing person and new family needs unconditional support. What’s unconditional support? Presence: in the moment, validating your cares and concerns and affirming your experience. Insight: clearly understanding what you or your baby is…
Induce Labor Naturally?
Looking to get labor started? Are there any natural ways to induce labor? There is a LOT of misinformation out there (thanks a lot, Dr. Google!) about DIY ways to kick start childbirth. But do they actually work? Acupuncture? Little evidence that it induces labor, little evidence that it can cause harm. So, maybe? Red…
Food and Drink in Labor?
Food and drink in labor? Many people are surprised to find out that their birth facility or care provider restricts “oral intake” in labor after admission to the hospital. ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) says: “There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the relationship between fasting times for clear liquids and…