What birth options do you have? Here we discuss all of the options including: your birth location, choice of provider, pain relief, comfort techniques, support options, hiring a doula, and more.

Birth Doulas Meeting with a Pregnant Couple sitting on a couch

The Prenatal Meeting with Your Birth Doulas

By Christie Collbran | August 14, 2023

When you work with Buddha Belly Douas for labor support you get two doulas who are on-call for you 24/7! During pregnancy your doulas are available to answer questions, provide support and help you prepare for your special day. When you go into labor, whichever doula is on-call at the time will be the one…

Brain vs heart, making decisions during labor

Decision Making During Labor: Using Your B.R.A.I.N.

By Christie Collbran | July 23, 2023

The waves of labor bring you up and down and occasionally all over the place. At times in labor, we simply have to go with the flow and surrender to mother nature’s plan. However, now and again we may need to use our B.R.A.I.N. to make decisions during labor.    While childbirth can be filled with…

IV during labor, Group B Strep Test, GBS

The Group B Strep Test and Its Role in Labor

By Christie Collbran | July 10, 2023

One of the numerous tests and procedures to deal with during pregnancy is the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test. This is a routine part of prenatal care and July is International GBS awareness month. So, in this blog post, we will shed light on what to expect regarding your GBS test and the results.  What…

Newborn baby is presented to Mom, on an operating table, during a cesarean birth

Cesarean Birth: What to Expect

By Christie Collbran | April 11, 2023

Learning about cesarean birth, even if you are hoping to avoid it, is always a good idea. When I was taken for an emergency c-section, there was little time for anybody to explain things to me. I was grateful I had gained knowledge about cesarean birth in the birth classes I attended. As a first…

Choosing an OB/GYN or Midwife, a care provider sits with a family

Choosing an OB/GYN or Midwife (Hospital, Birth Center or Homebirth)

By Christie Collbran | January 16, 2023

Is an OB/GYN or a Midwife the best choice for your prenatal care? How do the different options affect where you will give birth? There are many factors to consider when choosing your prenatal care provider and your birthing location. In addition to taking into account your personal health history, it also comes down to…

Pregnant Woman on a phone call, when should I call my doula?

When Should I Call My Doula?

By Christie Collbran | January 2, 2023

You’ve decided to hire a doula to help you have a better birth experience. Great plan! So, now you are asking, when should I call my doula? Or, how do I best use her services? There is no wrong time to call your doula for help and guidance. When you hire Buddha Belly Doulas, we…

how doulas support dads and partners

How Doulas Support Dads and Partners

By Christie Collbran | November 12, 2022

I can’t tell you how many clients I call to follow up with after they use our birth doula services who say, “My husband wasn’t convinced we needed a birth doula, but after delivery he said we could never have done that without her.” Whether you are first time parents, or adding another child to…

Mom in Though about Whether or not to get an Epidural

Should I Get an Epidural?

By Christie Collbran | February 10, 2022

Epidurals. They can be a touchy subject. Let’s discuss what may, or may not, occur if you choose to get one. And, yes, Buddha Belly Doulas support your choice for an epidural. “We were made to give birth”. We have all heard that before, right? It is true, we were made to do this. We…

which-tamps-bay-hospitals-permit-doulas-visitors

Which Tampa Bay Hospitals Permit Doulas? (updated January 2022)

By Christie Collbran | August 18, 2021

As we know, COVID is currently surging throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. As such, visitor policies at local hospitals are frequently changing. So, which local hospitals are permitting doulas to support labor and delivery patients right now? First, we should note that professional doulas are not the same as “visitors.” Doulas are essential members…

natural-birth-at-the-hospital

Six Tips for a Natural Birth at the Hospital

By Christie Collbran | March 31, 2021

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!…

Parents-Need-Help-Not-Judgment

Parents Need Help Not Judgment

By Christie Collbran | February 5, 2021

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…

Tampa-Bay-VBAC-Rates-2019

Tampa Bay Hospital VBAC Rates 2019

By Christie Collbran | November 5, 2020

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…