Have you ever heard of lightning crotch in labor? Learn about what happens in labor, early labor, active labor, comfort techniques for labor, what a contraction feels like and much more!

Pregnant Mom and husband snuggling, how sex and help induce labor

How Sex Can Help Induce Labor

By Christie Collbran | August 20, 2024

Have you heard the saying “What gets the baby in there (sex) may help get the baby out?”  Or maybe your doctor or midwife told you to have sex to help get labor started?  You might be wondering what in the world this is all about. How does sex help get the baby out exactly? …

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…

Holding Hands in the Delivery room, Who Should You Allow

Who Should You Allow in the Delivery Room? 5 Questions to Ask

By Christie Collbran | January 7, 2024

Is your due date fast approaching? There are always so many things to figure out when it comes to giving birth. Packing your hospital bag, knowing your birth plan, who to invite… You might be wondering, who should I allow in the delivery room with me? This can be a difficult question to answer, and…

Pregnant Mom looking at belly - prodromal labor

Am I Going Into Labor? Understanding Prodromal Labor

By Christie Collbran | January 1, 2024

Coming to the end of your pregnancy can be such a challenging task. Not only are you done being pregnant, but the inevitable question rears its head:  When will I go into labor?  Most of your pregnancy goes by in the blink of an eye. But the last month of pregnancy is a different story. …

Woman embracing another women in a therapy group, recovering after a traumatic birth experience

Recovering from a Traumatic Birth

By Christie Collbran | October 16, 2023

Childbirth is a powerful and transformative event, but sometimes the experience can be traumatic. Things don’t always go as planned and the feelings you have during and after the birth can be emotionally challenging.  On a personal level my first baby’s birth was very difficult and I experienced a degree of PTSD afterwards. I worked…

Pregnancy After 35, Advanced Maternal Age, man hugging pregnant woman

Pregnancy After 35 | Advanced Maternal Age

By Christie Collbran | October 2, 2023

One day you’re 34 and feeling fine, but as the clock strikes midnight on your 35th birthday the switch is flipped and your fertility takes a nosedive, right? Forget gradual changes – your ovaries throw a little party and the DJ starts spinning “Last Dance.” Your eggs decide to pack their bags and head for…

A doula offering a cup of tea to a new mom, why choose a doula agency?

The Benefits of Choosing a Doula Agency

By Christie Collbran | September 18, 2023

If you’re on this page, you’re likely considering bringing a doula into your birth or postpartum experience. Kudos to you for prioritizing support and care during this remarkable journey. As someone deeply involved in the Tampa Bay community – a doula here since 2009, and the founder of Buddha Belly Doulas since 2014 – I’ve…

Pregnant Mother holds belly, Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks Contractions: The Prequel to Labor

By Christie Collbran | September 4, 2023

Braxton what?! If you’re on this page, chances are you’ve heard whispers about Braxton Hicks contractions and today, we’re going to demystify them for you.  What are Braxton Hicks Contractions? Braxton Hicks contractions, also charmingly known as “practice contractions,” are the dress rehearsal before the real show. They’re your uterus’s way of flexing its muscles…

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…

Holding a Hot Water Bottle on her abdomen, Childbirth Afterpains

All About Childbirth Afterpains

By Christie Collbran | March 27, 2023

Childbirth afterpains are one of those things that: “nobody tells you about!” So let me be the one to rectify that.  When I first heard about childbirth afterpains, my mind went to the perhaps grim analogy of an earthquake. Forgive me. I grew up in Los Angeles, California where we did earthquake drills regularly in…

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!…

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…

Birth Plans Change

Birth Plans Can Change

By Christie Collbran | August 9, 2018

“When our birth plan changed and I needed a surgical birth, my doula held my hand in the operating room and helped us to stay calm.” – Haley, St. Pete Beach Birth plans can change, like Haley describes. Many people (mistakenly) think birth doula support is only for a “natural” birth or vaginal birth. What…

Induce Labor Naturally

Induce Labor Naturally?

By Christie Collbran | July 31, 2018

Looking to get labor started? Are there any natural ways to induce labor? There is a LOT of misinformation out there (thanks a lot, Dr. Google!) about DIY ways to kick start childbirth. But do they actually work? Acupuncture? Little evidence that it induces labor, little evidence that it can cause harm. So, maybe? Red…

Food and Drink in Labor

Food and Drink in Labor?

By Christie Collbran | July 11, 2018

Food and drink in labor? Many people are surprised to find out that their birth facility or care provider restricts “oral intake” in labor after admission to the hospital. ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) says: “There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the relationship between fasting times for clear liquids and…

Dancing in Labor

Dancing in Labor and Delivery

By Christie Collbran | April 17, 2018

Dancing in labor? Yes, this is wonderful if you feel so inclined. Let’s discuss why it works. In order for your baby to be born, she must descend and make several movements through the birth canal. Your position can greatly influence her progress during labor and delivery. Using gravity and changing positions frequently is helpful…

How Will I Cope in Labor

How Will I Cope with Labor?

By Christie Collbran | April 9, 2018

How will I cope with labor? What are the options? Some mothers know exactly what they want and others would like to research and learn about their options. Here is a brief summary of some pain relief and coping strategies used in labor. 1. Unmedicated/Comfort Measures Laboring mothers that plan to go without medicine often…

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…

Early Labor vs Active Labor

Early Labor vs Active Labor – When to Go to the Hospital? (updated 2022)

By Christie Collbran | October 26, 2017

Understanding the differences between these two phases of labor will help you to make a better decision about when to head to the hospital, birth location or call the midwife! What does early labor look like? Early labor is usually the longest part of labor and can last from a few hours to a few…

Labor Progress

Ugh, Why Am I Not in Labor Yet? (updated June 2022)

By Christie Collbran | May 19, 2017

As I got to the end of my first pregnancy, I was so ready to meet my baby. I’m not quite sure that I was ready to be in labor – that sounded hard – but I really, really wanted to find out what he or she looked like. Technically we didn’t know the sex,…

My Water Just Broke

“My Water Just Broke!” says Every TV Birth

By Christie Collbran | April 26, 2017

If we trusted modern film and TV portrayals of labor and birth, we would all believe that the first sign of labor is that your water will break unexpectedly. A huge gush will splash all over you and the grocery store floor where you were peacefully doing your shopping, all over your friend’s new car,…

induction

All About Labor Induction

By Christie Collbran | April 4, 2017

Labor induction is the process of using medical interventions to stimulate labor. When it comes to starting labor, it’s generally recommended to wait for it to begin naturally, unless there are specific medical reasons that call for induction. Some reasons given for induction include: hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, infection in the uterus, placenta complications…

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…

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,…

afraid to give birth

I Was Scared to Give Birth

By Christie Collbran | December 8, 2016

Second pregnancies go so fast. Between keeping up with my toddler, Annie, a career and busy family life, before I knew it, I was eight months pregnant. At first, I felt sad that I hadn’t had a moment to be “present” mentally while growing this new baby. Then one day, I was driving home from…

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…

laboring down

What’s Laboring Down?

By Christie Collbran | September 27, 2016

Whew! You made it! You’re finally at 10 cm dilated, that means it’s time to start pushing, right? Well… maybe not yet. Dilation is only one small part of the coordinated efforts made by your body and your baby’s in order to be born. Other things that need to happen are effacement, tilting of the cervix AND…

Oxytocin hormone

The Love Hormone: Oxytocin

By Christie Collbran | June 8, 2016

Oxytocin has physical AND behavioral effects on the human body, making it one amazingly magical chemical. (Note: oxytocin and pitocin are not the same thing. Pitocin is the synthetic version of oxytocin. It can replicate the physiologic aspects of oxytocin on the body, but not the behavioral ones.) It’s called the “love hormone” because our…

4 Easy Comfort Measures

4 Easy Comfort Measures for Labor

By Christie Collbran | May 5, 2016

While almost no woman would ever use the word “comfortable” to describe how they felt in labor, there are things that can be done to lessen the pain of birth. This list isn’t exhaustive but are approaches that work and that you can easily try without a lot of previous training or experience. Environment The…

When To Go To the Birth Location

It’s Baby Time! When Should We Leave Home?

By Christie Collbran | April 11, 2016

They say ‘timing is everything,’ and this is no less true in labor than other aspects of life.  It does matter when you go to your birth location – you don’t want to be there too soon, and you probably don’t want to have your baby in the car! So when exactly is the right…

Netflix & Chill in Labor?

Netflix and Chill in Labor?!?!

By Christie Collbran | April 2, 2016

Early labor can last for many hours, perhaps even days.  And while early labor is not usually very painful, it can be exhausting and hard to tolerate. During early labor, your body and your baby are preparing the cervix by getting it into the right position, thinning it and starting to open it. Your uterus…

Writing Your Birth Plan

7 Things About Writing a Birth Plan (updated 2022)

By Christie Collbran | March 10, 2016

Many expectant parents ask us about a birth plan – what should go on it, what shouldn’t? For most people, a birth plan is a good idea, when used as a communication tool. By this we mean, it communicates your preferences to your care providers in a clear, succinct fashion. Birth is unpredictable and there…

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…

What Do Contractions Feel Like?

What Does A Contraction Feel Like? (updated 2022)

By Christie Collbran | September 22, 2015

What does a contraction feel like?  Will it hurt? You’re not the first one to ask these question.  Every first time mom asks and many repeat mothers do, too!  It’s very hard to imagine ahead of time what the physical sensation of a contraction feels like.  Likewise, it is hard to remember what a contraction…

Lightning Crotch

Lightning Crotch – What Is Effacement?

By Christie Collbran | June 3, 2015

Recently, a laboring mother had us, her birth team, laughing and giggling with the words she used to describe the sensations she was having.  A particularly funny phrase she kept using was “Lightning Crotch.” This is a stinging, burning, pins and needles type of feeling right in the crotch, not during a contraction but in between or…