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…
A Postpartum Doula Is…..What? (updated in 2022)
Many people are just learning what a doula is. Some people are familiar with the idea of what a birth doula is. (A birth doula is professional, trained and experienced in childbirth, and offers physical, emotional and educational support to women in pregnancy and during labor and delivery.) But did you know there are also…
Don’t Let Anybody Steal Your Thunder (updated in 2022)
Your feelings about your experiences in childbirth are your own. Whether it was good or bad, women should not be judged or shamed for feeling either satisfied or disappointed with the experience. Let me paint this picture: After experiencing an unsuccessful three-day long induction resulting in a cesarean followed by hemorrhaging and blood transfusions to…
Why I Carry My Baby (updated in 2022)
I love to carry my babies. I also like to be comfortable and maneuverable. For those reasons, and the ones below, I’m passionate about sharing the “babywearing” love. And in honor of International Babywearing Week, I’m happy to share that passion with you. 1. Baby is close to you. On your back, side or front. Do…
What Does A Contraction Feel Like? (updated 2022)
What does a contraction feel like? Will it hurt? You’re not the first one to ask these question. Every first time mom asks and many repeat mothers do, too! It’s very hard to imagine ahead of time what the physical sensation of a contraction feels like. Likewise, it is hard to remember what a contraction…
These Are Days You’ll Remember
Pregnancy. Our future. The hope of something magical and joyful. The near certainty of falling in love with the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen, your newborn baby. Despite the aches, pains, burps and stretch marks, pregnancy is a glorious time. I recall being so full of excitement, hope, love and joy with the growing child…
Birth Story Healing
Birth is a highly emotional experience. How we are treated and the joy or trauma that we go through can stay with us forever. Nearly every mother I’ve ever met, no matter what age, remembers and easily shares details of her experiences giving birth. Just as it takes time to heal physically it also takes time…