Can I Have a VBAC? What Actually Matters (Evidence-Based Guide)
You’ve had a cesarean. Maybe it was planned, maybe it wasn’t. But you remember the moment things shifted. The conversation changed. The plan changed. And suddenly, a C-section became the safest way to bring your baby into the world. You did what was necessary. And now, as you think about your next birth, there’s a…
What is Fetal Monitoring? What You Need to Know
“Why is fetal monitoring important?” “Is it safe for my baby?” Are these questions running through your head? If so, you’re not alone. Fetal monitoring is one of those medical terms that is frequently used, but many expecting parents don’t fully understand what it entails or their options. Understanding fetal monitoring can actually help you…
Your Comprehensive List of Tools for Pain Management During Labor
You might be wondering about pain management during labor and … What does birth actually feel like? That’s a tough one—because the birthing experience is incredibly unique. For some, it feels like intense pressure or cramping. For others, it’s more of a wave-like rhythm of sensations. The truth? There’s no single way to describe it,…
5 Important Questions to Ask About Labor Induction
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: The more…
Past Your Due Date? 7 Things to Know
Going past your due date can bring on a mixture of emotions. You’re ready to meet your baby and you’re tired. You have to wait…… and ….wait some more. Bending down to tie your shoe is out of the question. Getting up from the couch is a sporting event. You find yourself flashing glares of…
Decision Making During Labor: Using Your B.R.A.I.N.
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…
Cesarean Birth: What to Expect
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…
Should I Get an Epidural?
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…
Six Tips for a Natural Birth at the Hospital
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!…
The Birth Center of St. Pete
Last week I visited with the midwives at The Birth Center of St. Pete, a great birth location option for families who are interested in having a low-intervention, unmedicated labor and birth. They provide prenatal care, childbirth education, and midwifery care at the birth center or in a homebirth setting and lactation support. The midwives…
Birth Doula or Postpartum Doula: Which One Do I Need Most?
This might be a bit shocking to hear from the owner of a doula agency. After all, we hope you’ll hire us to help you prepare for birth with one of our childbirth classes, support you prenatally and at your baby’s birth as birth doulas, help you recover quickly with placenta encapsulation, AND help you…
Labor and Birth in the Water
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…
Giving Birth at AdventHealth Tampa
What is it like to give birth at AdventHealth Tampa? We recently toured and met with Birth Designer, Emily Sullivan, RN, BSN. Here are some of the things we learned about this hospital: Birth Designer The Birth Designer works with each mother-to-be to customize her birth experience and act as a liaison between her care…
Giving Birth at Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital
Tampa Bay is fortunate to have many different excellent birth options, including Morton Plant hospital in downtown Clearwater. Today we had a private tour and are pleased to share what we learned! Before You Go into Labor You’ll be able to pre-register and meet with a special “family admission nurse” to talk about your choices and…
Labor Pain and Nitrous Oxide
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…
What Is A Gentle Cesarean? (updated June 2022)
Many families are interested in what is referred to as a ‘gentle cesarean’ or a ‘family centered cesarean.’ The purpose is to allow mothers and partners a more active role at the birth, create a peaceful and calm atmosphere and to emulate what happens during and after a vaginal birth. Let’s discuss the features that…
Who Will Be in the Birth Room?
A new baby brings such joy, not only to her parents, but also to a gathering of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, neighbors, friends… the list goes on and on. And truly, as new parents, you’ll learn to rely on the support they’ll provide over your child’s life. Is there ever a time you won’t…
7 Things About Writing a Birth Plan (updated 2022)
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…
16 Reasons We Recommend Tampa General Hospital for Childbirth {updated May 2021}
We have had great experiences with the medical professionals of Tampa General Hospital. We’ve been toured through the entire labor and delivery ward and NICU. We’ve been invited numerous times to speak at their childbirth classes as a guest speaker and to help in teaching comfort techniques to their students. Establishing relationships and building bridges…
How Does a Doula Aid in Labor
We’re often asked how a doula supports a laboring woman. The honest answer is: it depends. It depends on the woman, her needs, her birth style, and who else is in the room. No two births look the same, so what we do for one mom might look totally different for the next. Maybe she’s…
A Postpartum Doula Is…..What? (updated in 2022)
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…
How Are You Choosing Your Hospital & Care Provider?
You will remember giving birth for the rest of your life. It is a sacred event that should be a loving and happy experience. There are many factors that will determine the outcome of your birth, including your health, genetics, any previous births, where you choose to give birth and who your care provider is.…