Birth Options
Six Tips for a Natural Birth at the Hospital
So you want to have a natural birth at the hospital!? Navigating our current maternity health care system can be a little tricky. However, a natural birth in the hospital is possible. Lots of families before you have done it. It is a feasible and realistic goal. So we say – you can do it!…
Read MoreParents Need Help Not Judgment
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to deal with a Judgy McJudgerpants in your life? I recently wrote about coping with a colicky baby as a new parent – what made it better and what didn’t. Three aspects of the situation made it harder: lack of support judgment and unsolicited advice. I was exclusively…
Read MoreTampa Bay Hospital VBAC Rates 2019
Planning to have a VBAC? (VBAC = vaginal birth after cesarean.) Do you know the VBAC rate for your hospital? I know we say this a lot, but it bears repeating: the hospital that you choose to deliver your baby at has a huge impact on the outcome of your birth experience. In fact, it…
Read MoreTampa Bay Hospital C-Section Rates 2019
Do you know the c-section rate for your hospital? Without a doubt, your hospital of choice has a huge impact on the outcome of your birth experience. There are numerous factors to consider when choosing your hospital, and their cesarean rate should be at the top of the list. Experts explain more in this article…
Read MoreVirtual Labor Doula Support
During this current health crisis families are still having babies and in need of labor support. In this time of social distancing and with hospital doula/visitor policies are in flux, we’ve got a plan. We are still here and able to support our clients virtually with the same level of compassionate care. Our Virtual Labor…
Read MoreNew Group Classes forming in January, 2020
We’re pleased to add several new group classes to the Buddha Belly schedule in 2020! Group HypnoBirthing Class Series In our five-week group HypnoBirthing classes you will learn the full relaxation techniques of the program along side other pregnant couples. Some laboring women have found the HypnoBirthing method has resulted in a faster and shorter…
Read MoreHow A Peanut Ball is Used in Labor
What is a peanut ball? How is a peanut ball used in labor? There are many important benefits to changing positions regularly in labor. We often suggest that women in labor change positions every 30 mins to an hour. When you are laboring with an epidural you are limited in the number of different positions…
Read MoreNot Everyone Wants or Needs Doula Support
Not everyone wants or needs doula support. And that’s okay. There, we said it. And it’s true. We do believe that every birthing person and new family needs unconditional support. What’s unconditional support? Presence: in the moment, validating your cares and concerns and affirming your experience. Insight: clearly understanding what you or your baby is…
Read MoreIs Having a Doula Important?
Is having a doula important? Imagine you are planning to compete in an Olympic sport. Would you prepare, train, practice, compete and execute the sporting event all on your own? Or would you have a coach, trainer, nutritionist, medical staff and your family nearby to guide, encourage and take care of you as needed? Of…
Read MoreChildbirth: There Is No Right Way
Is there a right way to do childbirth? My mother was a hippie. She gave birth to all of her children at home with a home-visiting doctor. Her experience influenced my views of childbirth and how I wanted to birth my babies. Once I was pregnant I did everything that I thought was “right.” I…
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