CHRISTIE COLLBRAN, FOUNDER CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA, CERTIFIED LACTATION COUNSELOR, CERTIFIED POSTPARTUM & INFANT CARE DOULA

Christie Collbran

CHRISTIE COLLBRAN, CLD, CLC, PCPD

Christie Collbran is a true believer in the strength, power, and inner wisdom of women and has focused her entire career on her ability to help them call upon it when needed.

As a doula her greatest talent is her ability to connect with her clients on a personal level. That, coupled with her knowledge and experience, provides comfort and assurance to each and every client she engages with.

Christie has a passion for education and recognizes that knowledge for both herself, and her clients, leads to preparedness. She holds certifications as a Childbirth Educator, Lactation Counselor, and Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. Christie is committed to ensuring that mothers and their partners understand their birthing options and is focused on preparing them for what they can expect on their journey.

With more than 10 years of experience as a birth professional, Christie also served as the President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network for six years. Her desire to mentor others in the profession has contributed to her reputation as a dedicated and compassionate leader.  

Christie is passionate about supporting women that are planning to have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). It’s personal for her as her first son was delivered via cesarean birth. Her second son was born vaginally; a peaceful home birth. Christie’s vast experience supporting birthing families in a variety of settings, each with a unique outcome, coupled with her positive and calm state of mind makes her an invaluable member of any birth team.

From 2017 - 2019 Christie worked as a consultant/educator with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative; a project that aims to improve the quality of care for Florida families by teaching Labor Support Skills to registered nurses across the state. Christie facilitated many of these classes training hundreds of nurses with exceptional results.

As the founder and owner of Buddha Belly Doulas, Christie has made it her personal responsibility to ensure that her entire team maintains a consistency of care, and a standard of professionalism that is of the absolute highest standard. 

When Christie is not managing the team of doulas at Buddha Belly, there are a few places you might just find her. She is a lover of the beach! Growing up in Los Angeles and now living in Palm Harbor, Florida have kept her close to one ocean or another her entire life. She is an aspiring painter and writer who enjoys indulging in her creative side. Christie is married to her soul mate, Mike and together they love and nurture their two boys, Shane and Jack. 

“I cannot say enough amazing things about Christie. She is a kind, loving woman and runs an extremely professional business that truly cares about taking care of their clients. Having Christie as part of our birthing experience was BEYOND amazing! Her comfort and assistance during the entire process was INVALUABLE. Christie is worth every penny and beyond."

Lauren Bledsoe, Tampa

“My husband and I knew right when we met Christie that she was an asset that we wanted on our birth team. Christie was absolutely irreplaceable. I ended up having to be induced and I was so worried this would hinder my plans to deliver naturally but because of Christie’s support throughout labor I was able to do it!"

Brittany, Tampa

“Christie Collbran was the second doula we interviewed and after leaving that night, we knew she was the ONE! Christie was there every step of the way offering calm and loving suggestions. She helped me advocate for myself and my chosen birthing experience. She provided knowledge and encouragement to my husband, who didn’t know what to do at times during the contractions. Christie is truly the most talented and loving doula. My experience of giving birth in a hospital was a positive one because of her patience, knowledge, and caring heart!”

Lauren Richards, St. Pete

“I can’t say enough about how Christie impacted my birth as my doula.
She was a calming presence for my husband. He knew that as long as Christie was calm everything was going to be okay. My favorite memory was when Christie reminded my to follow my instincts and to own my birth. This made a profound impact on my birth experience and outcome, as well as my ongoing experience as a parent. She even offered extensive follow up help when I needed additional lactation support. Everyone NEEDS a doula!”

Samantha Suffich, Palm Harbor

“We interviewed several doulas before (and had several scheduled after) when we met with Christie, she was so knowledgable and compassionate and after the first meeting I knew she was meant to be with us through the birthing process. She has endless resources and knowledge and was always available to help or answer questions. I honestly don’t think I could have accomplished my goal of a natural childbirth without her. She will always hold a special place in our hearts!"

Brandi T, New Port Richey

Training & Certifications

  • Labor Doula Training & Certification, CAPPA, 2009
  • Labor Doula Training, Charis Childbirth, 2010
  • Childbirth Educator Training & Certification, CAPPA, 2012
  • Spinning Babies Workshop, Gail Tully CNM, 2012
  • Advanced Business Training ProDoula, 2015
  • VBAC Facts Workshop: History, Politics & Stats, 2015
  • Postpartum Doula Training, ProDoula, 2015
  • Certified Lactation Counselor, ALPP, 2016
  • Waterbirth Education Workshop, Barbara Harper, RN, 2016
  • Placenta Preparation Training, ProDoula, 2017
  • Postpartum & Infant Care Doula Training, ProDoula, 2018
  • Certified Labor Doula, ProDoula, 2018
  • Alumni Labor Doula Training, ProDoula, 2019
  • Certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doula, ProDoula, 2021
  • CPR Trained and Certified, American Red Cross, 2021
  • Doula Agency Owner Business Training, 2021
  • Alumni Postpartum Doula Training, ProDoula, 2023 & 2024
  • Alumni Labor Doula Training, ProDoula, 2023 & 2024
  • Certified Advanced Support for Postpartum Specialist, ProDoula 2024
  • Certified Advanced Comfort Measures Specialist, ProDoula 2024