The Best Baby Registry – Advice from a Postpartum Doula
Last updated September 2026 As postpartum doulas, we work with a LOT of new families… first time moms, first time dads and newborns. So it’s only natural that we get asked, a LOT, what our “must-haves” are for baby registries. Here it is! Yes, it’s a long list. Please note, that this does not mean…
Recovering after a Cesarean
Cesareans are so common these days that we sometimes forget they are major abdominal surgeries. In addition to recovering from this surgery, the mother is also taking care of a brand new baby. It’s a lot to cope with at the same time. Here are some c-section recovery tips from the doulas on our team.…
Ugh, Why Am I Not in Labor Yet? (updated June 2022)
As I got to the end of my first pregnancy, I was so ready to meet my baby. I’m not quite sure that I was ready to be in labor – that sounded hard – but I really, really wanted to find out what he or she looked like. Technically we didn’t know the sex,…
Six Steps to Prepare Older Siblings for New Baby
Are you adding a new baby to your sweet little family? Preparing older siblings for the arrival of the new baby can be fun and joyful but it does require some preparation. As Tampa postpartum doulas, and seasoned moms, here are our tips to prepare your older siblings to life with a newborn. 1. Give…
“My Water Just Broke!” says Every TV Birth
If we trusted modern film and TV portrayals of labor and birth, we would all believe that the first sign of labor is that your water will break unexpectedly. A huge gush will splash all over you and the grocery store floor where you were peacefully doing your shopping, all over your friend’s new car,…
All About Labor Induction
Labor induction is the process of using medical interventions to stimulate labor. When it comes to starting labor, it’s generally recommended to wait for it to begin naturally, unless there are specific medical reasons that call for induction. Some reasons given for induction include: hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, infection in the uterus, placenta complications or other…
Yes, Doulas Are for Cesareans Too
Should I hire a doula for a c-section? Some people have the idea that doulas are only helpful for women that want to have a natural, unmedicated or vaginal birth. Well, that just is not true! Doulas benefit everyone, including mothers that are having a cesarean – whether it is planned or not. “I had…
Labor and Birth in the Water
We recently attended a Waterbirth Education and Certification Course taught by Barbara Harper, RN, Midwife, author and educator. We are happy to share some of the highlights and things we learned. Many Tampa birth locations now offer the use of warm water immersion in birth tubs as a comfort measure during labor, and some locations…
Newborn Care: Why Delay Clamping Baby’s Umbilical Cord?
[Updated 2026] Once your baby is born, at some point, his/her umbilical cord must be clamped and then separated from the placenta. Many of our families who hire us as doulas are now considering delaying when this clamping happens because of the benefits offered to the newborn. Approximately one-third of a baby’s total blood volume…
Giving Birth at AdventHealth Tampa
What is it like to give birth at AdventHealth Tampa? We recently toured and met with Birth Designer, Emily Sullivan, RN, BSN. Here are some of the things we learned about this hospital: Birth Designer The Birth Designer works with each mother-to-be to customize her birth experience and act as a liaison between her care…
Not-so Private Parts: Should You Shave or Wax Before Birth?
If you’re currently pregnant, have been pregnant previously or thinking about getting pregnant in the future, chances are you have wondered about this. Given the incredibly personal nature of this topic, though, you most likely didn’t talk about it with anyone. Maybe your sister or a very, very close girlfriend who has given birth. Most…
Giving Birth at Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital
Tampa Bay is fortunate to have many excellent options for giving birth, including Morton Plant Hospital in downtown Clearwater. Our team has spent many years supporting families giving birth at Morton Plant, and we’re pleased to share what you can expect. Before You Go into Labor You can pre-register for your hospital stay before your…
Breastfeeding Advice from a Tampa Bay IBCLC
First, congratulations on choosing to learn more about breastfeeding! Getting educated on breastfeeding will help you get off to a great start. Read books, talk to friends and professionals and ask questions; you are going to do great at this! You probably already know that breastfeeding is the biological norm. This is how we have…
Comfort Measures for Varicose Veins
About 28% of women will develop varicose veins in pregnancy. While they are mostly harmless in the short term they can cause pain and discomfort. Here are my recommendations and best comfort measures to try if you are dealing with varicose veins in pregnancy. If you’re like me, before I had varicose veins I had…
Leah Remini on Why She Hired a Doula
My husband, Mike Rinder, co-hosted the TV show Scientology: The Aftermath with actress, comedian and best-selling author Leah Remini. Leah has become like family to us. At a dinner one evening, I was pleased to learn that Leah’s doula provided invaluable support after the birth of her daughter, Sofia. Leah graciously agreed to share a bit of…
Labor Pain and Nitrous Oxide
Have you heard about this new option for pain relief in labor – nitrous oxide? Well, to be fair it’s technically not new. Nitrous oxide, a tasteless, odorless gas made up of 50% nitrous and 50% oxygen, has long been used in other countries like England, Canada, Australia and more. It was used in the…
A Doula for Twins
All new mothers need information, encouragement and support. How can a doula be especially helpful when you are having twins? 1. Your doula can help you find accurate information and determine what your preferences and wishes are. Giving birth to twins presents possibilities that you may want to know more about, including: There is no…
I Trust My Doctor. Why Do I Need Childbirth Classes?
At a childbirth education class recently, a father-to-be asked a very thought-provoking question: If you have a great care provider (OB/midwife), why do I need childbirth classes? Why do we need to know any of this stuff? Why not just trust them to make the decisions for you? While not comprehensive, here are a few ideas…
Having Two Doulas is Better Than One!
One of the distinctions of Buddha Belly Doulas is our commitment to offering premier, professional support to growing families in Tampa Bay. That’s why we’re pleased to announce our newest innovation: birth doula teams. Because two doulas is better than one! How does it work? If you hire Buddha Belly Doulas to support you at your baby’s…
What’s Laboring Down?
Last updated September 2026 Whew! You made it! You’re finally at 10 cm dilated, that means it’s time to start pushing, right? Well… maybe not yet. Reaching 10 centimeters means your cervix is fully dilated, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is ready to be born right away. Your baby may still need some time to…
Birth Plans & Your Unpredictable Birth
As birth doulas, we love helping our clients figure out and come up with their birth plans. It’s a great opportunity to learn about all of the options and variations that can come up in labor and birth and what you would prefer. One of the hardest things we deal with as laboring and birthing people…
Hospital Bag Checklist
“What should I bring to the hospital?” Here are some ideas for your hospital birth bag based on what we’ve seen be most helpful to the families we support as Tampa birth doulas. A few items on the list will also be provided by your hospital (blankets, pillow, shampoo, soap, etc) but if you prefer your own toiletries…
Interview With a Postpartum Doula
Rebecca Towner and her two children, Photo courtesy of Pure Bloom Photography. Buddha Belly postpartum doula, Rebecca Towner, answers questions about her role in supporting families: What does a postpartum doula do? A postpartum doula wears a lot of hats. She is there to provide emotional, practical and educational support for your family during this…
Sex After Childbirth
Intimacy and sex after childbirth can be a source of concern or relationship tension for new parents. While this topic may seem taboo to some, it’s helpful to keep some factors in mind. Your midwife or doctor will likely recommend refraining from sex until at least six weeks postpartum whether you had a vaginal birth…
The Many Uses of a Yoga Ball
A yoga or exercise ball is a great tool to have in your home during your pregnancy, labor and beyond. Due to the many helpful ways you can use a yoga ball, it really is a worthy and smart investment. When choosing a ball be sure to get the appropriate size based on your height.…
Who Hires Postpartum Doulas?
As awareness of postpartum doula support grows, many people ask us what type of family hires a postpartum doula. They often ask “Who hires postpartum doulas?” Here are just a few examples of who hires postpartum doulas: First-time parents. When bringing your first baby home, everything is new! Feeding, sleeping, diapering, washing, doctors … it’s…
All Alone With My Newborn Baby
I had planned to have a natural birth at a birth center but things didn’t turn out that way. My son was born via emergency cesarean and my world was turned upside down. My mother had a flight booked for the first week in January to be at the birth, but my son came two…
The Low-Down on Tearing ‘Down There’
You just had your baby! Yay! Congratulations! You also have a … (cue scary music) … tear. Perineal lacerations, aka “tears,” are a common occurrence during vaginal birth. Yes, it’s common; in fact, it happens in more than two out of three vaginal deliveries. These lacerations are classified into four categories: The quick facts: Why…
The Love Hormone: Oxytocin
Oxytocin has physical AND behavioral effects on the human body, making it one amazingly magical chemical. (Note: oxytocin and pitocin are not the same thing. Pitocin is the synthetic version of oxytocin. It can replicate the physiologic aspects of oxytocin on the body, but not the behavioral ones.) It’s called the “love hormone” because our…
When is the Best Time to Hire a Doula?
Is it ever too early or too late to hire a doula? Our answer is: if you are currently pregnant, it’s never too early or too late. If you hire a doula very early in your pregnancy, you will have more time to use her services and get to know each other. Your doula will…