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.

Pregnant Mom in hospital having a labor induction

5 Important Questions to Ask About Labor Induction

By Christie Collbran | August 12, 2024

The rate of labor induction in the United States has doubled in the last thirty years. Approximately 1 in 4 women are induced.  You’ve probably heard mentions of induction from family and friends. And you may be questioning if induction will be necessary for you.  So, here’s the most important thing to remember about induction: …

breathing techniques for labor, woman taking a breath

Your Childbirth Game Changer: Learn 3 Effective Breathing Techniques For Labor

By Christie Collbran | February 12, 2024

“I’m not ready to give birth….”  Is this you?  Does the thought of giving birth make you anxious?  Not sure what to expect?  Perhaps you are still recovering from a less than ideal birthing experience?  Whatever the reason may be, you might be dreading your upcoming birth. I get it, there are a lot of…

pregnant couple in the third trimester

Third Trimester Checklist: What to Do in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

By Christie Collbran | December 11, 2023

Congratulations you made it to the third trimester of pregnancy! You are on the homestretch, the excitement is palpable, and your baby’s arrival is just around the corner. To help you have a smooth transition, we’ve compiled a comprehensive third trimester checklist just for you.  Go here to see our First and Second Trimester Checklists. …

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 Doulas 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…

Tampa-Bay-C-Section-Rates-2019

Tampa Bay Hospital C-Section Rates 2019

By Christie Collbran | October 21, 2020

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…

Virtual Doula

Virtual Labor Doula Support

By Christie Collbran | March 31, 2020

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…

how-a-peanut-ball-is-used-in-labor

How A Peanut Ball is Used in Labor

By Christie Collbran | May 10, 2019

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…

Not Everybody Needs or Wants a Doula

Not Everyone Wants or Needs Doula Support

By Christie Collbran | August 1, 2018

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…

Tampa Doula Support

Is Having a Doula Important?

By Christie Collbran | April 16, 2018

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…

right way to give birth

Childbirth: There Is No Right Way (updated 2022)

By Christie Collbran | April 3, 2018

Is there a right way to do childbirth? My mother was a hippie who was very naturally-minded. I was the first of her three children, all of which were born at home with a home-visiting doctor. At five years old I got to be present in the room when my little sister was born in…

Aromatherapy in Labor

Aromatherapy in Labor

By Christie Collbran | January 23, 2018

Recall a time in your past that you felt relaxed and comfortable. Was there a nice smell associated with this time? Maybe the smell of a particular flower that you enjoy? Aromatherapy is one tool that can be used for comfort in labor. Essential oils are extracted from plants, flowers and fruit and distilled. They…

Birth Doula vs Postpartum Doula: Which One Do I Need Most?

Birth Doula or Postpartum Doula: Which One Do I Need Most?

By Christie Collbran | October 23, 2017

This might be a bit shocking to hear from the owner of a doula agency. After all, we hope you’ll hire us to help you prepare for birth with one of our childbirth classes, support you prenatally and at your baby’s birth as birth doulas, help you recover quickly with placenta encapsulation, AND help you…

doula support for c-sections

Yes, Doulas Are for Cesareans, Too (updated 2022)

By Christie Collbran | March 29, 2017

Should I hire a doula for a c-section?  Some people have the idea that doulas are only helpful for women that want to have a natural, unmedicated or vaginal birth. Well, that just is not true! Doulas benefit everyone, including mothers that are having a cesarean – whether it is planned or not. “I had…

doulas benefit everyone

Doulas Benefit Everyone

By Christie Collbran | March 23, 2017

It’s World Doula Week! (March 22 – 28th) This year the theme for World Doula Week is “Doulas Benefit Everyone.” The doulas at Buddha Belly are proud and honored to do this work. So how is it that doulas benefit everyone? Mothers: This one is the most obvious. Doulas work for mothers. We support you with information, education, comfort measures, emotional…

epidural

What Is It Like to Have an Epidural?

By Christie Collbran | March 7, 2017

Many women in the U.S. choose to use medical pain management in labor and birth, and the most common option is an epidural. Sometimes it is referred to as epidural anesthesia or epidural analgesia. It is a regional medicine (versus local) – this means it only blocks pain in a specific part of your body.…

water birth

Labor and Birth in the Water

By Christie Collbran | March 2, 2017

We recently attended a Waterbirth Education and Certification Course taught by Barbara Harper, RN, Midwife, author and educator. We are happy to share some of the highlights and things we learned. Many birth locations now offer the use of warm water immersion in birth tubs as a comfort measure during labor, and some locations support…

Labor of Love Birth Center Tampa

Tampa Birth Options: Labor of Love Birth Center

By Christie Collbran | January 26, 2017

We are fortunate in Tampa Bay to have so many excellent birth location options, including Labor of Love Birth Center in Lutz – the “home of natural birthing.” For the last ten years, Labor of Love has been owned and operated by Bea Rowell, RM, LM, CPM. It is professionally and expertly staffed by four…

Two Doulas Are Better Than One

Another Reason Why Two Doulas are Better than One

By Christie Collbran | January 14, 2017

Recently, one of our clients gave birth to her twin babies at 32 weeks. Her doula was by her side supporting her during labor, delivery and postpartum. She had a very positive experience. While many babies are born closer to their due dates, you most likely won’t know exactly when your baby will be born. As doulas,…

delayed-cord-clamping

Newborn Care: Why Delay Clamping Baby’s Umbilical Cord?

By Christie Collbran | December 6, 2016

Once your baby is born, at some point, his/her umbilical cord must be clamped and then separated from the placenta. Many families are now considering delaying when this clamping happens because of the benefits offered to the newborn. Approximately one-third of a baby’s total blood volume is in the placenta and/or umbilical cord at birth.…

Morton Plant Hospital Clearwater

Giving Birth at Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital

By Christie Collbran | November 16, 2016

Tampa Bay is fortunate to have many different excellent birth options, including Morton Plant hospital in downtown Clearwater. Today we had a private tour and are pleased to share what we learned! Before You Go into Labor You’ll be able to pre-register and meet with a special “family admission nurse” to talk about your choices and…

Doula Support Tampa Bay

Five Things My Doula Did For Me

By Christie Collbran | November 5, 2016

So often we hear, “Why do I need a doula?” or “What does a doula do?” I looked back at my last birth and found five of the most important things my doula, Christie*, did for me. This list will look different for everyone, but I think it gives some more perspective to the common…

nitrous oxide for labor pains

Labor Pain and Nitrous Oxide

By Christie Collbran | October 23, 2016

Have you heard about this new option for pain relief in labor – nitrous oxide? Well, to be fair it’s technically not new. Nitrous oxide, a tasteless, odorless gas made up of 50% nitrous and 50% oxygen, has long been used in other countries like England, Canada, Australia and more. It was used in the…

Two Doulas Are Better Than One

Two Doulas Is Better Than One!

By Christie Collbran | October 17, 2016

One of the distinctions of Buddha Belly is our commitment to offering premier, professional support to growing families in Tampa Bay. That’s why we’re pleased to announce our newest innovation: doula teams. Because two doulas is better than one! How does it work? If you hire Buddha Belly to support you at your baby’s birth, you…

Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Pregnancy and Birth

By Christie Collbran | May 11, 2016

We are happy to introduce Dr. Savy Ford of Blossom Chiropractic in St. Pete. She is our guest blogger for today’s post sharingMany of our clients have had positive results through chiropractic care from reduced discomfort in pregnancy to assistance with a slow to start or stalled labor. Let us know if you are looking for a recommendation for a chiropractor…

Why We're Doulas

Why We’re Doulas…The Answer Might Surprise You

By Christie Collbran | April 14, 2016

We’re not all mothers. We didn’t always think we wanted children. Maybe we want some, one day. Maybe we’d like one as soon as possible. Maybe we already have several. We’re not all home birthers. We’ve birthed in hospitals, birth centers AND at home, with pain medications, medical interventions and via cesarean. On a personal level,…

Gentle Cesarean

What Is A Gentle Cesarean? (updated June 2022)

By Christie Collbran | April 11, 2016

Many families are interested in what is referred to as a ‘gentle cesarean’ or a ‘family centered cesarean.’ The purpose is to allow mothers and partners a more active role at the birth, create a peaceful and calm atmosphere and to emulate what happens during and after a vaginal birth. Let’s discuss the features that…

Tampa-General-Hospital

16 Reasons We Recommend Tampa General Hospital for Childbirth {updated May 2021}

By Christie Collbran | February 25, 2016

We have had great experiences with the medical professionals of Tampa General Hospital. We’ve been toured through the entire labor and delivery ward and NICU. We’ve been invited numerous times to speak at their childbirth classes as a guest speaker and to help in teaching comfort techniques to their students. Establishing relationships and building bridges…

How Does a Doula Aid in Labor

How Does a Doula Aid in Labor

By Christie Collbran | January 27, 2016

We’re often asked about how a doula aids a laboring woman. How a doula supports a woman during birth depends on the individual woman, her needs and desires, additional supporters and birthing style.  No birth or woman is cookie-cutter and as such what we do for each woman may be different. For instance, the new mother-to-be may…

Tampa VBAC

The #1 Ingredient for VBAC Success

By Christie Collbran | January 5, 2016

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…

Choosing your hospital and doctor for childbirth

How Are You Choosing Your Hospital & Care Provider?

By Christie Collbran | December 11, 2014

You will remember giving birth for the rest of your life. It is a sacred event that should be a loving and happy experience. There are many factors that will determine the outcome of your birth, including your health, genetics, any previous births, where you choose to give birth and who your care provider is.…