pain Archives - Barbara Buckner Suárez

Why is PAIN a Four-Letter Word?

by Barbara Buckner Suárez | coping, decisions, expectation, labor, pain, planning

I taught a class recently that was a little different. It only meets once and focuses on the brain-body connection, the practice of comfort measures, and how to stay in a coping mindset throughout birth. There’s no discussion about the stages of labor or when to...

Empty Nest

by Barbara Buckner Suárez | baby, birth workers, coping, infant death, infertility, loss, miscarriage, pain, process, support

It takes a torrential rain or windstorm to blow the last remaining leaves off the trees revealing what was so well-hidden in the uppermost branches throughout Spring and Summer: one, two, sometimes up to three bird’s nests. They vary in size and shape, and I have no...

Either/Or? How About Yes/And?

by Barbara Buckner Suárez | birth plan, Childbirth Education, epidural, pain

During introductions on the first night of class, Janet* sat up, told us her name, and added: “I’m planning on getting the epidural – and you can’t talk me out of it!” She pointed straight at me when she said this and I threw up my hands in mock defense...

The Light in the Darkness

by Barbara Buckner Suárez | hope, loss, pain, parenting

In April of 1999, I was about 3 months pregnant with my first baby. I’m sure I was still sick — throwing up countless times a day. But the excitement of being able to get pregnant following my husband’s diagnosis and treatment for testicular cancer kept me flying...

Pain AND Pleasure?

by Barbara Buckner Suárez | pain

Have you listened to the podcast The Longest Shortest Time? Episode #28, The Missing Chapter to Ina May’s Guide is so worth the listen. Please pop over there and do yourself a favor – then come back to me here. The interviewer, Hilary Frank speaks to Ina May Gaskin –...