How Does a Doula Aid in Labor
We’re often asked about how a doula aids a laboring woman. How a doula supports a woman during birth depends on the individual woman, her needs and desires, additional supporters and birthing style. No birth or woman is cookie-cutter and as such what we do for each woman may be different. For instance, the new mother-to-be may…
A Failure to Plan…A Plan for Failure?
Have you ever heard this expression? Both my father and father-in-law were in the Army, so this is a saying that I have heard over and over again. And while it’s not completely true in birth, it is still very applicable. As doulas, we hear a similar sentiment a lot… “I’m just going to go…
Happy Pills, Happy Mom???
Before the baby comes, eight to 12 weeks away from work seems like an eternity, right? Most pregnant professionals spend weeks preparing their teams, transitioning duties and creating process and procedure work flows. Many plan to work until either their estimated due date or the baby is born. We dream about all we’ll do -or…
I’m Not Depressed – Why Do I Need a Postpartum Doula?
Are postpartum doulas for people with postpartum depression? Postpartum doulas are not postpartum depression doulas. Postpartum doulas support women after the birth of a child, with or without postpartum depression. From the Merriam-Websters online dictionary: postpartum: adjective | post·par·tum \ˌpōs(t)-ˈpär-təm\ 1. Relating to or happening in the period of time following the birth of a child. It…
The #1 Ingredient for VBAC Success
When considering a VBAC, (vaginal birth after cesarean) determining your best course of action depends on a variety of factors. This includes your risk factors, health history and your personal preferences. Having a sincerely supportive care provider is the top priority for your best chance at VBAC success. So, how do you find one? Let’s…
Do Doulas Replace Partners?
The answer is no, they do not. Partners are an extremely vital part of the birth team. Nobody knows you, your strengths, weaknesses, desires and the essences of what makes you unique as well as your partner. The connection and love between you and your partner is crucial during labor and birth. “A father’s [or…
I Made a Resoluation
I am not going to shoulder the burden of mother guilt anymore. You know this guilt: it’s an incessant mosquito whirring in your ear.
Breastfeeding, Getting a Good Start with Skin-to-Skin
Last week myself and another postpartum doula on our team, spent five long days learning about lactation at The Lactation Counselor Training Course through The Healthy Children Project. It was eye-opening in so many ways even after having breastfed my own children for a combined total of more than 5 ½ years. So, I wanted to share…
Things To Do in Tampa Bay with a Newborn (updated July 2022)
Postpartum, babymoon, maternity leave… what do you call the period AFTER your baby is born? Even more importantly, what do you DO in this time? First and foremost you should rest and let your body recover. But once you are feeling up for getting out of the house, you may be wondering what you can…
Interested In Joining Our Team?
We are searching for new team members to join us at Buddha Belly in serving families of Tampa Bay. Doula began as a Greek word that means “a woman who serves.” The meaning has evolved to become a professional, trained and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period, who provides physical, emotional and informational support. (And…
Meet Marisa Seegraves, Postpartum Doula
I’m so excited to introduce you to my dear friend Marisa Seegraves. We met a few years ago on the Pinellas trail while picking up our kids from Ozona Elementary school and a sweet friendship (and carpool pick up schedule) was born. Marisa admired my Baltic amber necklace which led to her buying four amber necklaces from me (one for herself and one…
Buddha Belly at The Mother of All Baby Showers, Tampa Bay!
We’re so thrilled to be attending The Mother of All Baby Showers on November 13 at Glazer Children’s Museum. Our team of professional, caring doulas and artists will be at this fancy, schmancy, adult-only event talking all things Buddha Belly, including: Live mini belly casts! Yes! Our artists have a limited number of spaces available to cast pregnant bellies right…