Hormones from conception to pregnancy, birthing to feeding, bonding & attachment -An interview with Dr Sarah Buckley

On this incredible episode, we get the pleasure of picking the
brain of Dr Sarah Buckley, where we go on a journey into the
hormones from conception to pregnancy, birthing to feeding,
bonding & attachment.

Sarah Buckley is a New-Zealand-trained GP/family physician with
qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning. She is also
a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, where her
research is focused on oxytocin and the autonomic nervous system
in labour and birth, and the impacts of interventions.



Dr Buckley’s work critiques current practices in pregnancy,
birth, and parenting from the widest possible perspectives,
including scientific, anthropological, cross-cultural,
psychological, and personal. She encourages us to be fully
informed in our decision-making; to listen to our hearts and our
intuition; and to claim our rightful role as the real experts in
our bodies and our children.



She is well known from her incredible and bestselling book Gentle
Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor’s Guide to Natural Childbirth
and Gentle Early Parenting Choices.



And her ongoing interest in the hormones of labour and birth,
culminated in her groundbreaking report Hormonal Physiology of
Childbearing This report, available for free online, has been
described as “…one of the most revolutionary and influential
publications on maternity and newborn care ever issued.”



Sarah tells us much more about oxytocin - that marvellous feel
good hormone, that really does control so much of our bodily
functions. Sarah answers questions about whether oxytocin and
synthetic oxytocin (syntocinon/pitocin) act the same in labour
and birth. 



We talk contractions and how they work, pain relief in labour and
the important role oxytocin plays, the effects of Epidurals on
oxytocin and how they affect the mother's brain in labour. And
even get time to discuss postnatal personality changes due to the
hormones… And so, so much more! 



LINKS:
Sarah's website



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Music by Joseph McDade


Disclaimer
The information shared in this podcast is for general educational
purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice.
Always consult with a qualified professional regarding individual
health concerns.

The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast does not guarantee the
completeness or accuracy of the information provided and accepts
no liability for any loss or harm arising from reliance on this
content.