CHRISTIE RINDER
The Visionary Behind Tampa Bay's Premier Doula Agency

CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA (CD), CERTIFIED LACTATION COUNSELOR (CLC), CERTIFIED POSTPARTUM & INFANT CARE DOULA (PCPD)

Christie Rinder, Founder Buddha Belly Doulas

From Solo Doula to Industry Leader: 17 Years of Excellence

Christie Rinder didn't set out to build Tampa Bay's leading doula agency. She started as a passionate birth doula in 2009, supporting families one at a time. But when demand consistently outpaced her capacity as a solo practitioner, she realized Tampa Bay families needed something that didn't exist: a comprehensive, reliable doula agency with supportive systems and guaranteed support for local families.

In 2014, she founded Buddha Belly Doulas — Tampa Bay's first full-service doula agency. What began as a solution to her own client overflow has become the region's gold standard for postpartum and birth support.

Leadership & Professional Credentials

  • 17 years supporting Tampa Bay families through pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester
  • 6 years as President of Tampa Bay Birth Network (2014-2020), leading regional advocacy and professional development
  • ProDoula Certified in both birth and postpartum support, with ongoing continuing education requirements
  • Certified Childbirth Educator & Lactation Counselor through nationally recognized training programs
  • Guest Speaker at Tampa General Hospital's childbirth classes, sharing expertise with hundreds of expectant families
  • Florida Doula Trainer for the Perinatal Quality Collaborative under University of Southern Florida, teaching nurses and doctors about Labor Support Skills.
  • Industry Recognition: Winner, Best of the Bay 2025

Media & Awards

  • Winner: Best of the Bay 2025 Doula Services
  • Featured speaker: Tampa General Hospital childbirth education program
  • Professional leadership: Small Business Executive Program, JM Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, 2025
  • Professional leadership: Tampa Bay Birth Network President 2014-2020
  • Professional leadership: Consultant/educator with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative
  • Guest expert: Collabs.io Magazine Feature article (2021)
  • Guest expert: Tampa Bay Times (2020)
  • Guest expert: Good Living Magazine (2017)
  • Guest expert: Bayside TV (2015-16)
  • Guest expert: Studio 10 (2014)
Additional Trainings & Certifications
  • Advanced Comfort Measures Specialist, ProDoula 2024
  • Advanced Support for Postpartum Specialist, ProDoula 2024
  • Alumni Labor Doula Training, ProDoula, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Alumni Postpartum Doula Training, ProDoula, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • CPR Certified, American Red Cross, 2021
  • Doula Agency Owner Business Training, 2021
  • Certified Labor Doula, ProDoula, 2018
  • Postpartum & Infant Care Doula Certification, ProDoula, 2018
  • Placenta Preparation Training, ProDoula, 2017
  • Certified Lactation Counselor, ALPP, 2016 - Present
  • Waterbirth Education Workshop, Barbara Harper, RN, 2016
  • Advanced Business Training ProDoula, 2015
  • VBAC Facts Workshop: History, Politics & Stats, 2015
  • Postpartum Doula Training, ProDoula, 2015
  • Childbirth Educator Certification, CAPPA, 2012
  • Spinning Babies Workshop, Gail Tully CNM, 2012
  • Labor Doula Certification, Charis Childbirth, 2010
  • Labor Doula Certification, CAPPA, 2009
Winner Badge for Best of the Bay 2025 Best Doulas

"When I was a solo doula, I saw too many families struggle to find reliable postpartum help. They'd hire someone who couldn't guarantee availability, or work with well-meaning individuals who lacked professional training standards. I created Buddha Belly Doulas to solve that problem systematically."

Christie Rinder

Philosophy of Care: More Than Support - True Partnership

Christie has built Buddha Belly Doulas reflecting Buddhist principles of peace, patience, positivity, strength, and wisdom — combined with the very best systems in place to support your growing family. Every family gets assigned a dedicated support team, managed by a full-time postpartum director, with backup systems that ensure no one ever goes without care.

Under Christie's leadership, Buddha Belly Doulas has grown to:

  • 35+ certified doulas on team, all ProDoula trained with ongoing professional development
  • 400-500 hours of postpartum support provided weekly across Tampa Bay
  • 3-county service area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties
  • Dedicated Tampa Bay facility: Beautiful, purpose-built center for classes and support groups
  • Full-time support staff: Including Amy Scobie, Postpartum Support Director, who manages all family matching and ongoing care coordination

A Personal Note From Christie:

Every family that chooses Buddha Belly Doulas gets the benefit of everything we've learned over 17 years of supporting Tampa Bay families. We don't just assign you a doula — we create a support system that adapts to your needs and never leaves you wondering who to call. That's the difference between working with an individual and working with an agency that's built this from the ground up.

My husband and I knew right when we met Christie that she was an asset that we wanted on our birth team.

“My husband and I knew right when we met Christie that she was an asset that we wanted on our birth team. Christie was absolutely irreplaceable. I ended up having to be induced and I was so worried this would hinder my plans to deliver naturally but because of Christie’s support throughout labor I was able to do it!"

Brittany, Tampa FL

She is a kind, loving woman and runs an extremely professional business that truly cares about taking care of their clients.

“I cannot say enough amazing things about Christie. Having Christie as part of our birthing experience was BEYOND amazing! Her comfort and assistance during the entire process was INVALUABLE. Christie is worth every penny and beyond."

Lauren Bledsoe, Tampa FL

She has endless resources and knowledge and was always available to help or answer questions.

“We interviewed several doulas before (and had several scheduled after) when we met with Christie, she was so knowledgable and compassionate and after the first meeting I knew she was meant to be with us through the birthing process. I honestly don’t think I could have accomplished my goal of a natural childbirth without her. She will always hold a special place in our hearts!"

Brandi T, New Port Richey FL

I can’t say enough about how Christie impacted my birth as my doula.

“She was a calming presence for my husband. He knew that as long as Christie was calm everything was going to be okay. My favorite memory was when Christie reminded my to follow my instincts and to own my birth. This made a profound impact on my birth experience and outcome, as well as my ongoing experience as a parent. She even offered extensive follow up help when I needed additional lactation support. Everyone NEEDS a doula!”

Samantha Suffich, Palm Harbor, FL

My experience of giving birth in a hospital was a positive one because of her patience, knowledge, and caring heart!

“Christie was the second doula we interviewed and after leaving that night, we knew she was the ONE! Christie was there every step of the way offering calm and loving suggestions. She helped me advocate for myself and my chosen birthing experience. She provided knowledge and encouragement to my husband, who didn’t know what to do at times during the contractions. She is truly the most talented and loving doula.”

Lauren Richards, St. Pete, FL