varicose veins postpartum

Varicose Veins Postpartum

By Buddha Belly Doulas | November 11, 2016

For more info check out the first two blog posts in this series here: Varicose Veins in Pregnancy Comfort Measures for Varicose Veins Will your varicose veins will go away after having the baby and if so, how soon? In my experience, there is not one straightforward answer. After my first baby, yes, completely gone,…

recovery tips for the new mother

Recovery Tips For the New Mother (updated July 2022)

By Christie Collbran | November 7, 2016

A few recovery ideas for the new mother from Moms and doulas that have been there: 1. First, plan to rest for at least a month or more. You just had a baby. THIS is the biggest physical task you will probably ever achieve. REST! Get in bed and stay there for as long as…

Leah Remini on Why She Hired a Doula

By Christie Collbran | November 1, 2016

My husband, Mike Rinder, co-hosts the TV show Scientology The Aftermath with actress, comedian and best-selling author Leah Remini. She visited the Tampa area a few months ago. At dinner one evening, I was pleased to learn that Leah had the support of a postpartum doula after the birth of her daughter, Sophia, 12 years ago. She graciously…

postpartum truths

Six Naked Truths About Postpartum (updated July 2022)

By Christie Collbran | October 27, 2016

You can count on the doulas of Buddha Belly to always give you the truth about pregnancy, postpartum and all things baby. Knowing what to expect will help you get prepared mentally for the changes and reality of life after giving birth. Yes, you will adore your brand new baby and want to show her…

Postpartum Doula Rebecca and her kids

Interview With a Postpartum Doula

By Christie Collbran | August 16, 2016

Rebecca Towner and her two children, Photo courtesy of Pure Bloom Photography. Buddha Belly postpartum doula, Rebecca Towner, answers questions about her role in supporting families: What does a postpartum doula do? A postpartum doula wears a lot of hats. She is there to provide emotional, practical and educational support for your family during this…

newborn and siblings

Who Hires Postpartum Doulas?

By Amy Lewis | July 6, 2016

As awareness of postpartum doula support grows, many people ask us what type of family hires a postpartum doula. Here are just a few examples: First-time parents.  When bringing your first baby home, everything is new! Feeding, sleeping, diapering, washing, doctors, daycares… it’s enough to make even the most level-headed people feel slightly batty. Add in…

postpartum-doula-tampa

All Alone With My Newborn Baby

By Christie Collbran | July 4, 2016

I had planned to have a natural birth at a birth center but things didn’t turn out that way. My son was born via emergency cesarean and my world was turned upside down. My mother had a flight booked for the first week in January to be at the birth, but my son came two…

perineal-tearing-tampa-doula

The Low-Down on Tearing ‘Down There’

By Amy Lewis | June 23, 2016

You just had your baby! Yay! Congratulations! You also have a … (cue scary music) … tear. Try to relax, perineal lacerations, aka “tears,” are a common occurrence during vaginal birth. Yes, it’s common; in fact, it happens in more than two out of three vaginal deliveries. These lacerations are classified into four categories: First-degree:…

Postpartum Depression and Doulas

I’m Not Depressed – Why Do I Need a Postpartum Doula?

By Christie Collbran | January 8, 2016

Are postpartum doulas for people with postpartum depression? Postpartum doulas are not postpartum depression doulas. Postpartum doulas support women after the birth of a child, with or without postpartum depression. From the Merriam-Websters online dictionary: postpartum: adjective | post·par·tum  \ˌpōs(t)-ˈpär-təm\ 1. Relating to or happening in the period of time following the birth of a child. It…

Postpartum Doula

Meet Marisa Seegraves, Postpartum Doula

By Christie Collbran | November 18, 2015

I’m so excited to introduce you to my dear friend Marisa Seegraves. We met a few years ago on the Pinellas trail while picking up our kids from Ozona Elementary school and a sweet friendship (and carpool pick up schedule) was born. Marisa admired my Baltic amber necklace which led to her buying four amber necklaces from me (one for herself and one…

What Is A Postpartum Doula

A Postpartum Doula Is…..What? (updated in 2022)

By Christie Collbran | October 30, 2015

​Many people are just learning what a doula is. Some people are familiar with the idea of what a birth doula is. (A birth doula is professional, trained and experienced in childbirth, and offers physical, emotional and educational support to women in pregnancy and during labor and delivery.) But did you know there are also…