Rewire For Birth Podcast

How to Harmonize Your Birth Hormones: Insights from Dr. Sarah Buckley, M.D., Ph.D. (cand.)

March 10, 2024 Dr. Cindy Tahhan, B.S.C., ND Season 1 Episode 14

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In this insightful episode of the Birth CEO podcast, host Dr. Cindy welcomes renowned expert Dr. Sarah Buckley to discuss the transformative experience of childbirth and how families can approach it with love, safety, and trust (i.e. how to get that oxytocin pumping!) 

Key Points Discussed:

  • Introduction to Dr. Cindy’s mission as a naturopathic doctor supporting gentle birthing processes.
  • Upcoming masterclass announcement on gentle birth approaches scheduled for March 28
  • A reminder that the content shared is educational and should not replace medical advice.
  • Guest introduction – Meet Dr. Sarah Buckley:
    • Extensive background in family medicine and obstetrics
    • PhD candidate researching oxytocin's role during labor
    • Advocate for home births based on personal experience and research
    • Promoter of continuity of care through midwifery services

Main Discussion Topics:

  1. The Importance of Environment During Labor:
    • The need for privacy, safety, and feeling unobserved are essential for releasing oxytocin effectively during labor.
    • Comparisons between hospital settings versus at-home births regarding comfort levels.
  2. Oxytocin's Role in Childbirth:
    • Described as the hormone that makes birth go faster (oxy= fast, tocin= birth) due to its positive feedback loop mechanism.
    • Stress can inhibit or promote labor depending on its stage; managing stress is crucial.
  3. Tips for Hospital Births:
    • Creating a safe space by controlling sensory input (e.g., using eye masks or listening to familiar music).
    • Timing hospital arrival when labor reaches an unstoppable momentum (when you're "totally in your limbic system").
  4. Hormonal Cascade in Labor:
    • Adrenaline may disrupt early labor; maintaining low stress levels is key initially.
    • Cortisol plays a beneficial role later on by helping oxytocin work more effectively.
  5. Post-Birth Bonding Influenced by Hormones: Both mother and baby have high cortisol levels after birth which aids bonding through activation of reward centers in the brain.
  6. Protecting Early Mother-Baby Bonding Time: Highlighted importance of uninterrupted contact immediately post-birth due to hormonal peaks facilitating attachment.


Join Dr.Cindy’s upcoming FREE Masterclass at www.cindytahhan.com or reach out via email or Instagram for anyone seeking personalized guidance suited to their unique circumstances related to childbirth planning.

Link to website: www.cindytahhan.com

Link to instagram: @drcindytahhan

Dr. Sarah Buckley leaves us contemplating how traditional caregiving practices prioritize emotional well-being during childbirth—a stark contrast against modern maternity care—and urges listeners towards environments where they feel most secure when welcoming new life into this world.

You can learn more about Dr. Buckley and benefit from all of her resources at: 

www.sarahbuckley.com

On instagram @drsarahjbuckley

Check out the documentary mentioned in our conversation: 

bornathomefilm.com.au

Access Dr. Cindy’s FREE guide “Top Homeopathic Remedies useful during labor, delivery, and postpartum period.

Sign up for my upcoming FREE Masterclass: www.cindytahhan.com

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