Birth Happens: Recent Episodes
Barbara Buckner Suárez
There’s a lot of pressure to do all things, bellies, babies and beyond, the right way… Health Educator & Couples Coach, Barb Buckner Suárez, has worked with thousands of families for over two decades, and she’s here to tell you that the right way to do pregnancy, birth, and parenting, is YOUR way. Whether you’re just thinking about starting a family, you’re buried in diapers, or your littles are long gone, raising the next generation is hard – but it doesn’t have to be! Find comfort, discover your confidence, and create connection through every episode of Birth Happens.
COVID and the isolation that it caused has had an incredible negative impact on our most basic human need: connection. Loneliness is at epidemic levels in the US and unless and until we recognize the web of interconnectedness that we share with one another, we are at risk of worsening our health and well-being on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Connection is the key. Connection is EVERYTHING... and it begins with birth.
When parents realize that they're more alike than different, and that navigating what it means to raise the next generation with little to no support is something that they're all struggling with, they might be more willing to work together - for change.
Keeping your couple connection strong over the long haul can be hard work and, at times, not a lot of fun, but it's so worth it! Choosing to stay committed to one another and willing to learn how to do conflict well are keys to babyproofing your couple relationship.
We might believe that the connection we have with our newborns will happen during pregnancy, or immediately after birth. But it's totally normal if this doesn't happen right away or even MORE normal on those days when we're just not feeling it. Some days are harder than others, ya'll! It's okay. Remember: You are a "Good Enough Parent."
P-F-F worksheet to download if you’re interested in tracking who you were PRE-Baby, POST-Baby and who you might like be in the FUTURE. This article from Politico talks about how the pandemic has driven women from the workforce. Here’s the official trailer for the movie, Tully. And the official trailer for The Letdown.
It takes courage, openness and vulnerability to realize when you need to ask others for help. We are hard-wired for connection and were never meant to do much of anything in life - least of all, raise the next generation - in isolation. Asking for help is key to creating connection.
Feeling vulnerable as parents might not be enjoyable... but remember the most vulnerable person in your family is the baby! If you can embrace your vulnerability and not run from it, the potential is there for your whole family to be transformed.
Becoming a parent is one of life's most vulnerable experiences. But the focus remains on how the pregnant, birthing and postpartum person is feeling. Spotlighting how Dads & Partners feel as they become parents is one way the whole family can thrive.
Becoming a parent means setting some healthy boundaries for your new little family. And this can trigger all sorts of vulnerable feelings for EVERYONE. But it's SO worth it!
What do expectation, disappointment and the myth of the goddess have to do with feelings of vulnerability? Ya'll, you have no idea...
The vulnerability that folks feel around the actual birth makes sense. But embracing those feelings, rather than ignoring them, might make all of it just a little bit easier. Remember: no matter how your birth story turns out - YOU ARE A HERO.
Vulnerability is THE emotion of parenthood and you couldn't avoid it if you tried! So, why not try to embrace it instead? Much easier than done, ya'll! But this season, I'm going to try to my best to convince you that vulnerability is where all the good stuff happens!
Physical intimacy after babies is different, that's true. But don't believe all the hype! Sex post-babies has the potential to be the best you've ever had... and it's all about increasing your emotional intimacy!
"Mommy Brain" is often a joke, when it should be honored for its role in raising the next generation. More & better support is the key.
The ups then downs of the perinatal emotional roller coaster can make you second-guess if your feelings are valid... if they're okay. Don't worry - they are.
The Dad Experience is just different... For many partners, the baby isn't real until the moment of birth - leaving many men feeling left out and helpless as they try to catch up and push back against our culture's ideas about fatherhood.