Your Guide for The Parenthood Journey

How would it feel to have an experienced guide
to count on through every step of your parenthood journey?

Pregnancy, birth, & parenthood change you — forever.

No matter how you become a family, once you begin this journey it leaves a permanent mark on your heart.

It’s common to have LOTS of different feelings on your parenthood journey…

And while there are tons of information available about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood all at the touch of a button, what about that information? Is it current? Is it evidence-based? Is “Dr. Google” a reliable and unbiased source of support when searching for guidance about the realities of raising the next generation?
That’s where I come in…

With over twenty-five years of practical experience inside and outside the classroom, I can help you navigate all the normal twists and turns that might happen as you make your way through pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

My passion for all things bellies, birth and babies has been lifelong and I’m excited to share that passion with you! I’d like to be your confidante – someone you can trust to share the realities of what is means to raise the next generation and encourage you to trust that you already have what you need to do this most important work. I’d love for this to be a safe place for you and your partner to gain the skills and necessary information so that you feel truly prepared for pregnancy, birth, & parenthood.

The road ahead might seem super scary at times...

Working with me as your guide will make all the difference! Together, we’ll determine which path is the right one for YOU.

Barb Buckner Suárez

Here are just a few comments from the many families I’ve guided through their parenthood journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m so glad to hear you’ve been referred to me! Former families are my BEST ambassadors! Check out my “Work With Me” page where you can schedule and register for the services that seem right for you. Still have questions? Schedule a free 15-minute call with me and we’ll figure it out together.
Schedule a free 15-minute call with me and we can talk about where you are in your parenthood journey and tailor something specific that will meet your needs. I’m certain that we can find a way to connect! Still have questions? Schedule a free 15-minute call with me and we’ll figure it out together.

How to work with me

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Destination:Parenthood

I'm Pregnant? Now What?

To get you started on your journey, I offer an online, on-demand webinar. This is perfect for those thinking about getting pregnant, actively working towards getting pregnant or still in their first trimester.

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Getting ready for the big day

My Childbirth Preparation Class 4-Week Series can be taken as a small group online offering during the lunch hour or as a private 3-Week Series at your convenience. It’s designed to help you approach the big day feeling excited and empowered rather than frightened and overwhelmed.

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What do I do again?

This is a class for those who have already given birth before and need a refresher or those who are wanting more hands-on practice for the experience of labor and birth.

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Tools for the Journey

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The Connection Bubble

No one can predict how your birth will unfold. In this Couples Connection Class, the focus is on helping couples strengthen the relationship they share prior to birth so their baby can be born into that shared connection – no matter what.

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Becoming Us

Becoming Us (Before OR After Baby) is a 4-Week Series of either small-group or private sessions designed to help couples navigate the normal challenges and changes that happen after starting a family. 92% of couples report increased conflict after the birth of their first baby. Becoming Us classes help babyproof your relationship.

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Re-prioritizing our relationship

These private Couples Coaching Sessions are geared for couples who are wanting to reprioritize their relationship. I work directly with couples on the unique issues coming between them so they can grow closer together as they learn communication skills and how to handle conflict better as a team.

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Trekking Ahead

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Who am I now?

Becoming a parent can have profound effects on your self-identity and the transition to parenthood brings both joys and struggles. These private sessions are designed to help you integrate who you were – with who you are now.

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Adding to Our Family

These private sessions are designed to help couples considering expanding their family (or already on their way) but could use a little extra support around what to expect. Part counseling, part mediation, the work we do in these sessions will help you prepare for what it means to add a new baby to your family.

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I need to tell my story

It's perfectly normal to feel grateful for having a healthy baby, and still need to process the challenging emotions of a birth that was not what you expected. Lingering feelings of anger, grief, frustration, and disappointment can prevent you from adapting to and enjoying your new role as a parent. Birthing people, partners (even birth workers!) who have gone through a challenging birth, can work with me in these private sessions to integrate one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Birth is big, y'all! Too big to fit on an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper. Too big to conform to any sort of "plan." ⁣
I've worked with thousands and thousands of families in my 25+ years as a perinatal health educator, and I've yet to hear anyone say(myself included!), "My birth played out EXACTLY how I thought it would!"

But that doesn't always mean it was a negative experience. Or an experience that needs to be integrated, either.

You might be surprised to hear that a birth story can look like a shit show on paper, and still be an incredibly empowering and positive experience. Or that a birth that looks like a dream on paper, can result in actual birth trauma.

Most people will benefit from talking with someone about their birth experience and I've had over two decades of experience in close and reflective listening to help you re-tell and re-claim the story of your baby's birth. 

I know what it means to re-center yourself as the protagonist of your birth story and why this matters so much to how you enter into parenthood.

My recent addition of being certified as a Resonant Healing Practitioner (using neurobiology, empathy and resonant language) allows me to take this integration to an even deeper level to inform who you are NOW as a result of moving through one of life's most transformative experiences.

If you need support in integrating your birth experience, please reach out! You can book a 1:1 Birth Integration Session with me today - it's under the tab offering, "I Need to Tell My Story" on my website at bbsuarez.com I'm here for you. XO
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#bbsuarez #birthintegration #ineedtotellmystory #parenthoodguide #whatido #parentingishardaf #here4you #earlypregnancy #pregnancycurious #childbirtheducation #comfortinlabor #couplesconnection #becomingus #couplescoaching #whoaminow #addingtoourfamily
This isn't the first time that I've received this kind of feedback from my Couples Connection Class, y'all! But I LOVE it when i hear it!⁣
I'm sharing this because i really do believe Connection is EVERYTHING and that it begins with birth!

And I want you to enter into your birth experience feeling so solidly connected with your partner that you feel like you've created a "Connection Bubble" that can withstand all the ups and downs of labor and birth.

But more importantly, that bubble creates a warm and loving space for your little one to arrive into earthside.

Now, I'm not going to give away what activity this parent-to-be is referring to here... you'll need to come to the class yourself to experience it! 

I just want to encourage you to snag one of the spots available in my in-person classes that I teach in partnership with Birth First Education Center. Upcoming dates: Sundays, December 17th, January 21st & February 28th, 4:00-6:30 pm. Class size is limited to 5 couples.

(I also teach these privately if you're interested... DM me.)
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#bbsuarez #parenthoodguide #whatido #parenthoodjourney #parentingishardaf #classes #earlypregnancy #pregnancycurious #childbirtheducation #comfortinlabor #couplesconnection #creatingconnection #powerofconnection #scienceofconnection #becomingus #babyproofing #couplerelationship #couplescoaching #whoaminow #addingtoourfamily #birthintegration #ineedtotellmystory #goodenoughparent #yougotthis #realdeal #honest #vulnerability #support #moresupport #bettersupport
When you're in the busy-ness of becoming a family or keeping your family going day-to-day, it's easy to forget what REALLY matters.⁣
I know I can sound like a broken record sometimes, but honestly, connection is EVERYTHING y'all! And it begins with birth. 

I would even go so far as to say that connection to yourself, your partner & your baby is all that REALLY matters.

My definition of connection needs is feeling seen, heard, and valued. These needs, in my opinion, are the most basic of ALL human needs. And unfortunately, too many adults didn't get these basic needs met when they were children.

But here's some very good news - when you connect with yourself as an adult, and then find connection with a partner in a healthy and respectful relationship - you are already on your way to creating what's called an "earned secure attachment."

If you try to create connection and secure attachment with your baby, it's possible to heal those wounds of disconnection from your own childhood. You can break the cycle.

And THAT's why connection is everything, y'all!

Many folks desire deeper connections with their partner and their baby - but don't know how to begin. If you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get my Connection eBook- it's all about connection and even has a few tips to consider before your baby arrives on the scene. Check out bbsuarez.com for this and tons of other content and offerings to support you and your whole family! XO
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#bbsuarez #blog #childbirtheducation #comfortinlabor #earlypregnancyclass #becomingus #couplesconnection #birthhappens #podcast #oneononesessions #couplescoach #writer #lamaz #presenter #manifesto #whatibelieve #birthmatters #connectioniseverything #itbeginswithbirth #raisingthenextgeneration #support #moresupport #bettersupport #hereforyou #pregnancy #birth #parenthood
My last Becoming Us Series for 2023 is coming up, y'all! I'm not teaching small-group Becoming Us series in December this year, so if you're wanting to prioritize your couple relationship in anticipation of a baby on the way, or re-prioritize your relationship now that you're knee-deep in diapers, you better snag a spot while you still can!⁣
I keep these classes small on purpose -  ONLY FIVE families per series in my small groups that meet every week for a month. 

But if you can't make it on Monday evenings (BEFORE Baby) or Wednesday evenings (AFTER Baby), DM me and let's talk abut private options. I want 2024 to be a GREAT year for you, your honey and your sweet little family!

I love helping families create, strengthen and deepen the connection they already share with one another. 

Work with me and learn about the normal challenges and changes that occur and how to thrive as a whole family. Let me show you how to babyproof your couple relationship! XO

BEFORE Baby Series happens Mondays, November 6th-27th 6:00-8:30 pm (PST) AFTER Baby Series happens Wednesdays after you put the kids to bed! 8:00-10:00 pm (PST) 

All small group classes happen via ZOOM so you don't HAVE to be in PDX to work with me!

Link bio for more info and registration.
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 #bbsuarez #becomingus #babyproofing #couplerelationship #couples #conflict #challenges #parenting #parenthood #moms #dads #parents #love #couplegoals #couple #relationshipgoals #connection #disconnection #reconnection #couplestuff #parentsandlovers #expectation #reality #preparation #becomingafamily #becomingamother #becomingafather #becomingaparent #coupleconnection #couplescoaching
October is Infant Loss Awareness month and just in case you haven't heard this yet, it's okay to grieve ANY loss no matter WHEN it happens or WHY it happens.⁣
In this culture, we do a terrible job of supporting people who are grieving - period. But even more so when we're talking about people who are grieving a loss that happens during pregnancy, labor and birth, or new parenting.

Most people don't have a clue about what to say after the loss of an octogenarian grandparent who lived a long and storied life. 

How would they know how to support a loss when it seems so out of order - a life gone before it's even begun?

Your loss may remain totally unacknowledged by everyone else around you because it was early, or the news wasn't broadcast to the world just yet. 

My hope is that you've not only received support from the people who love you, but also the birth professionals who should be able to offer you the clinical support you deserve.

And if you haven't received that support, please reach out to me. I would love to offer you this support and/or make some warm referrals to those professionals that I trust to handle your grief with tenderness and care.

I'm so sorry for your loss... the loss of your dreams for the future with this little one. Your deep pain, grief, fear and rage all make sense. YOU make sense. I see you. XO
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#bbsuarez #infantsafetyloss #october #support #moresupport #bettersupport #hereforyou #manifesto #whatibelieve #birthmatters #connectioniseverything #itbeginswithbirth #raisingthenextgeneration #ishardaf #childbirtheducation #comfortinlabor #earlypregnancyclass #becomingus #couplesconnection #birthhappens #podcast #oneononesessions #couplescoach #writer #lamaze #educator #presenter #pregnancy #birth #parenthood

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