IN THE NEWS
"Doulas for Your Growing Family! - Buddha Belly Doulas" in Go Solo
In September 2022, Christie was featured in the Go Solo digital magazine: "After my own childbirth experiences, I felt a strong calling to support women and families during the most vulnerable yet powerful moments of their lives... I am motivated by the joy of our clients when they feel empowered and confident during birth and the early parenthood journey. Knowing that we are making a difference by giving families the compassionate and professional support they need keeps me going!"
"Riding the emotional roller coaster of a pregnancy in a pandemic: An essay" in The Check Up by SingleCare
In November 2020, Amy was interviewed by SingleCare for this article where the writer shares her personal story of experiencing pregnancy during the pandemic: “Many hospitals have very restrictive policies for labor and delivery, limiting support to one person, meaning that beloved sisters, mothers, and friends have not been able to be there through this transformative experience, and likely removing the option of professional support in the form of doulas,” explains Amy Lewis, a doula, lactation counselor, and childbirth educator in Florida, who has seen drastically different birth experiences in 2020. “Even choices for comfort in labor have changed—as medical options like nitrous oxide are not being offered during this time.”
"Experts Say It’s Safe to Breastfeed During the COVID-19 Pandemic" in Healthline
In July 2020, Amy was interviewed by Healthline: "Lewis told Healthline that the first thing new mothers need to know is that breastfeeding is one of the most, if not the single most, protective things that mothers can offer their baby. For her, the latest information on the novel coronavirus has not changed this fact. Why? “Because first of all, the dynamic nature of breast milk, which is probiotic, prebiotic, and antibiotic, but also because of the feedback loop that the mother and baby’s bodies engage in when a baby is feeding directly at the breast,” Lewis said.
"Coronavirus restrictions are excluding doulas from many delivery rooms" in Tampa Bay Times
In March 2020, Christie was interviewed by the Tampa Bay Times: "Christie Collbran, of Buddha Belly Doulas, said doulas provide informational, emotional and physical support during labor. They’re offering their clients virtual services, she said, offering to be virtually present and consult on decisions such as epidurals or instructing a partner in how to assist. They’re also offering virtual consultations with mothers and their partners before hand to teach comfort techniques to practice during labor..."
"The Benefits of a Postpartum Doula" in Tampa Bay Baby Magazine
In 2019, Buddha Belly was invited to contribute an article to the Tampa Bay Baby Magazine on the benefits of a postpartum doula: "Traditionally, women have been taken care of by other women in their community or family after giving birth. Some cultures have a period of several weeks where a new mother is expected to do nothing but rest and recuperate with her new baby... Today, many women do not have this support available and this is where a postpartum doula can be extremely valuable."
Article in USF College of Public Health News
FPQC Launches Labor Support Skills to Promote Vaginal Deliveries Workshops. As a doula consultant and training facilitator with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, a non-profit focused on promoting better outcomes for Florida's mothers and babies, co-owner Christie was pictured alongside facilitators Emily Bronson of FQPC and Jessica Brumley and Heather Murphy of USF Health Division of Midwifery.
Interview with Co-Owner Amy Lewis on "Bayside" CW44
On March 12, 2017, co-owner Amy Lewis was interviewed about placenta encapsulation on the CW44 weekly television show, "Bayside. She participated in the program as a featured speaker at the 2017Tampa Birth & Baby Expo along with Jessica Brumley, Director of the Division of Midwifery, USF Health, USF Midwifery, and Gladis Rubio, Vice President of Tampa Bay Birth Network.
"Benefits of Having a Doula by Your Side" in Good Living Magazine
In 2017, owners Christie and Amy were invited to contribute an article to the Tampa Bay edition of Good Living magazine on the benefits of doula support. "Many expectant moms choose to have a doula, also known as a birth companion or labor coach, by their sides to help them get through childbirth. A doula is highly-trained and experienced in helping families have a healthy and satisfying birth experience."
Placenta Curious? - Tampa Birth & Baby Expo
In 2017, co-owner Amy was a featured speaker at the Tampa Birth & Baby Expo on the topic, "Placenta Curious? The Why, What and How of Placenta Encapsulation." Watch the entire presentation now!
Interview with Founder Christie Collbran on "Bayside" CW44
In March 2016, co-owner Christie was interviewed about the 7th annual Tampa Birth & Baby Expo as the President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network, along with Licensed Midwife, Charlie Rae Young, of Barefoot Birth, Dr. Shannon Whitlock, Chiropractor with Happy Healthy Spine, and Gladis Rubio, owner of Crunch Natural Parenting.
Interview on "Bayside" with Founder Christie Collbran CW44
IIn March 2015, co-owner Christie was interviewed about the 6th annual Natural Birth & Baby Expo as the President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network. Christie shared information about local childbirth options, resources and educational speakers presenting at the Expo.
Interview with Founder Christie Collbran on "Studio 10"
As the President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network,Christie appeared on the "Studio 10" tv show on WTSP along with Mary Catherine Hamelin, a Tampa Bay Birth Network member, to share information about the mission of the Birth Network and promote the 2014 Natural Birth & Baby Expo. The discussion included information on: childbirth options, doula services, babywearing and cloth diapering resources.
Interview on the Mama Bear Shares Radio Show 2013
Christie was interviewed live at the Natural Birth & Baby Expo 2013 for the Mama Bear Shares radio show, sharing info about this growing community event and all of the vendors and booths available for families to visit on the day.
Interview on Mama Bear Shares Radio Show II 2013
In 2013 Christie was interviewed on the Mamma Bear Shares radio show, talking about all things birth, doula work, placenta encapsulation, and even Special Scars, (a non profit organization that supports moms with non-typical cesarean incisions).
Improving Birth Rally
To raise awareness on how much room for improvement there is in our maternity care system, Christie helped launch and execute the first local Improving Birth Rally in St. Pete on Labor Day 2012. This very successful rally got the attention of and was featured on the local Channel 10 news.
In her capacity as the President of Tampa Bay Birth Network, Christie continued to work alongside Rally Coordinators from 2012 - 2015 to ensure successful yearly rallies in support of the non-profit organization Improving Birth. The 2013 rally was very well attended and also appeared on the local news.
