Posts by Christie Rinder
She will always hold a special place in our hearts – Brandi, New Port Richey
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…
Read MoreI’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…
Read MoreThe #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…
Read MoreWith Christie, it was doula-love at first meet – Loriel, Tampa
Christie at Buddha Belly was AMAZING. It was “doula-love” at first meet. No seriously, the moment I met Christie I knew that I wanted her as my doula. I felt like I could get through anything with her by my side, and it proved true with my intense labor. She is calm, collected, peaceful, informative,…
Read MoreDo 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…
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreBreastfeeding, 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…
Read MoreThings 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…
Read MoreInterested 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…
Read MoreMeet 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…
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