Meet the Facilitator - Patrícia Soriano Guzmán (Patti), BSBA, IBCLC, ICCE, PMH-C, PRaM.

Certified Becoming Us Facilitator for Perinatal Preparation, Relationship and Mental Health (PRaM)

How would you describe what you do?

Hello! I am an Allied Healthcare Professional specializing in perinatal support services with advanced certifications in perinatal education, clinical lactation and maternal mental health. My mission is to provide family-centered maternal care, empower parents through education, and guide families further as they grow.

My “day job” includes overseeing outpatient clinical lactation, childbirth education programming, social support groups and other perinatal-related events on behalf of Montefiore Nyack Hospital in Rockland County, NY. As the designated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at the Montefiore Nyack Prenatal Center, I provide outpatient Lactation services in English and Spanish.

I am also an ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator and PSI Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional. My additional responsibilities include leading the New Moms Circle Support Group, managing the virtual Childbirth Education Program. To fill these multiple roles, I draw from extensive skills honed during my previous career as an Account Director in Advertising & Direct Marketing (NYC).

How did you start on this path?

My passion for perinatal support grew out of my early motherhood experiences. Having dealt with and overcome several medical challenges, I was inspired to help new mothers even while still growing my own family. In 2010, I attended a La Leche League breastfeeding group meeting for the first time and began peer-support leadership training soon after. In 2013, I became a La Leche League International Accredited Leader. This work led to pursuing advanced education and training first in Clinical Lactation and soon after in Perinatal Mental Health and Prepared Childbirth & Infant Care to garner more well-rounded knowledge and skills.

Having my three children via all-natural, spontaneous and non-medicated births while well-supported by my husband and family, gave me a strong starting point. We prepared as best we could with what we knew and had available to us at that time. We took extensive natural childbirth preparation classes, sought out supportive healthcare providers, researched every little thing, self-advocated, and expected the best.

However, life challenges during pregnancy and throughout all of our early postpartum years were abound. In addition to normal challenges, we suffered other hardships including unexpected health issues, the loss of many beloved Elders, and career changes. All while becoming new parents...our first 10 years were tough! The good news is that somehow we managed to survive…None of it was easy, yet all of it was worthwhile!

What do you enjoy about using the Becoming Us approach?

The Becoming Us approach is well-aligned with my approach to parenting support. As an Allied Healthcare Professional, I am very committed to holistic, family-centered care. The ability to start conversations with parents and provide relevant support sooner is invaluable. Lactation will always be my first love and I truly enjoy Childbirth Education…but most times we get to parents too late in the process…and the onus is usually on the parents to seek and find these services. It should really be the other way around…what if we were the ones to reach out to find parents and families from the onset of their journey? What if parents knew what to expect sooner? Learned how to prepare earlier? Found words to express their needs and plan for support from the start? How might this change their life for the better?

Personally, I can tell you that Becoming Us would have made a world of difference for my family early on. The transitions into parenthood and starting a family would have been smoother, happier even, if we had a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the life changes we were in for. It is the preparation I wish we had as young parents and a viable way to help new families in our community now. Thankfully, Becoming Us provides a framework for doing so with gentle guidance. This is the support modern families need in a tangible, practical way.

What do you think are the main benefits for parents?

Learning about the realities and challenges of a growing family with gentle guidance and support can ease the journey throughout parenthood so that experiences become more enjoyable. Sometimes parents just need a place to go to share their experiences and feelings. Whether in a class format or a social group setting, parents can benefit from expressing themselves which also normalizes common concerns. If more specialized guidance is appropriate, referrals can be made to reliable and trusted healthcare providers as needed.

Are there any challenges with doing Becoming Us work?

In modern society and culture very few people prepare for parenthood and growing a family. Parents can and should be better supported. My hope is for well-rounded perinatal education and support services to become mainstream as an essential part of overall preparation and care.

Do you have a favorite part of your Becoming Us training?

I truly appreciated the prompts to take time apart to check in with ourselves and reflect on what might be coming up from a personal perspective. Taking the time to acknowledge and process personal experiences throughout training is an essential part of being fully and objectively present for others.

What other professional approaches have you found helpful?

I firmly believe in integrating complimentary, alternative modalities for holistic self-care mind, body and soul. There are many different options from mediation, gentle yoga, tapping, massage, energy work to talk therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, naturopathic care, and more. Being aware of and exploring ways to enhance overall well-being can help provide additional support.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

With all that is happening in the world, it is an honor and a privilege to focus on birth, life, and new beginnings. Going forward, my hope is to reach couples and new families sooner to provide the information, insights and know-how that can truly make a difference…My favorite thing to say at the end of each class or group session is “expect the best and prepare for the rest”…The keys are in preparation through well-rounded education, on-going communication within their circle of care and then follow-through with postpartum support…as extensively and for as long as needed.

I am honored to embark on this journey. This certification brings me full circle to the kind of work I want to do with families in a way that truly can benefit them most. 💕💗💖

To learn more about Patti and her parenthood support, email psguzmanibclc@gmail.com or info@perinatalsupportgroup.com