Baby items - pregnancy after loss

Pregnancy After Loss

By Christie Collbran | October 28, 2023

Losing a baby through miscarriage or stillbirth is one of the hardest things any parent will ever go through. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I went into preterm labor at 17 weeks. Having made it to the 2nd trimester we had already announced the pregnancy to friends and family. My husband and…

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…

New mom holds baby showing her postpartum belly

Postpartum Perineal Care

By Christie Collbran | May 21, 2023

During pregnancy we do a lot of preparation for birth and baby. One part of the experience to add to your postpartum planning is healing your bottom. Postpartum perineal care will be a daily part of your recovery for the first couple weeks. How sore your bottom is after birth often depends on how your…

Cotton Cloth Pads for Postpartum Bleeding

Postpartum Bleeding: From Padzilla to Panytliners

By Christie Collbran | April 24, 2023

Yes, unfortunately after giving birth you will have to endure several weeks of postpartum bleeding. The more informed you are, the better prepared you will be for your postpartum journey so here we go.   What is Lochia? Lochia is the term used to describe the vaginal bleeding that occurs after childbirth. It is a natural…

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…

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…

Bringing Baby Home, new parents in the car putting baby in car seat

Bringing Your Baby Home – Steps to Success

By Christie Collbran | March 7, 2023

As you reach the end of your pregnancy the reality that you will be bringing your baby home soon is starting to set in and is exciting! Like most new parents in the nesting phase, you are probably busy preparing and getting things ready. Here are some things to consider getting done in advance to…

Baby on Mom's chest during the Golden Hour After Birth

The Golden Hour After Birth

By Christie Collbran | February 5, 2023

The Golden Hour (or hours) refers to the immediate hour after you have given birth to your baby and the connection that takes place during this time. This quality time between you and your baby will have lasting effects on your relationship and how your baby adapts to their new environment. Your beautiful baby arrives…

When to Hire a Postpartum Doula

When Should I Hire My Postpartum Doula?

By Christie Collbran | November 29, 2022

It’s no secret that finding a spot at the best local daycare or preschool requires booking months in advance. Sometimes it even means putting your name on a wait list. You’ve heard about this before, right? “Infant care tends to book up fairly fast and several months in advance. In order to find one that…

Postpartum-Nutrition

5 Postpartum Nutrition Tips from a Certified Nutrition Coach

By Christie Collbran | July 19, 2022

One of the biggest concerns with many new mums postpartum is to “get their body back.” In this article we will talk about that and nutrition during your postpartum recovery. While “getting your body back” is an understandable goal, too many women lose precious time with their baby by worrying about losing weight. Weight loss goals can…

Placenta encapsulation process, represented by the tree of life artwork

Frequently Asked Questions about Placenta Encapsulation

By Christie Collbran | November 18, 2021

We have been providing the highest standard in placenta encapsulation services in the Tampa Bay area for many years. Over time we’ve heard and answered lots of questions from our clients. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our placenta encapsulation process: 1. Why do some people choose to…

Caring-for-baby-after-a-c-section

Caring for Baby After a C-Section

By Christie Collbran | September 3, 2020

Healing from a c-section can sometimes be overwhelming. You, a warrior, just had major surgery. Now you not only have to care for yourself, you have to care for your baby! This is a challenge that is sometimes forgotten. Once you’ve left the hospital, how can you easily care for your newborn? First of all,…