Learn about Tampa Bay care providers, hospitals, birth centers and other resources in our local community. Families with children are always looking for fun things to do and events. Tampa Bay has it all.

Hurricane Helene Resources

Hurricane Helene Resources and Support for Tampa Bay Families

By Christie Collbran | October 1, 2024

My newsfeed, like yours maybe, is full of photos and videos of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Our community has been hit hard, and many people have lost their homes, their belongings, and their sense of security. For those navigating pregnancy or the early postpartum period, this adds a whole new layer of stress…

Grand Opening & Maternity Fashion Show

By Christie Collbran | September 9, 2024

We are delighted to invite you to the grand opening of our new Buddha Belly Doulas Center and a celebration of a decade of nurturing Tampa Bay families. Join us for an afternoon of elegance, enrichment, and connection as we unveil our luxurious new space dedicated to supporting expecting and postpartum families! Event Highlights: Indulge…

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…

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…

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…

Hiring a Newborn Photographer: What to Look For

By Christie Collbran | April 2, 2023

We are happy to welcome to our friend, Tampa Newborn Photographer, Melanie Amparo, as our guest blogger this month sharing her tips on what to look for when hiring a newborn photographer: CONGRATS! Your life is about to get a whole lot sweeter (and challenging)! You’ve landed here because you’re looking at hiring a newborn…

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…

Holiday Family Events Tampa Bay

Holiday Family Events in Tampa Bay

By Christie Collbran | November 22, 2022

The holidays are in full swing! So, we’ve compiled a helpful list of some of the wonderful family friendly holiday events and happenings in and around Tampa Bay. To start, a great way to take in the sights and sound of the season are at some of Tampa’s local theme parks. Here’s the inside scoop…

Baby in a Pumpkin Patch, Family Fall events in Tampa Bay

Family Fall Events in Tampa Bay

By Christie Collbran | October 10, 2022

There is so much to love about fall! My son was born in September, and at around 6 weeks old we were finally ready to introduce him to the world. We visited a local pumpkin patch at a small church and created such wonderful memories. It has since become a tradition for us to attend…

Taking Your Baby to the Beach

Taking Your Baby to the Beach

By Christie Collbran | June 7, 2022

If you are anything like me, you know there are really healing energies offered by the sand and salt water of our gorgeous beaches here in Tampa Bay. We live where many people vacation, and there is a certain type of serenity that comes from the gulf breezes and gentle lapping of the waters. With…

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…

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…