Tips & Inspiration
I was cycling through Amsterdam on my way home from a prenatal appointment with one of my doula clients. She was already 34 weeks and we had just completed the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class. Her body was quite tense and I could tell that her fascia and ligaments were really enjoying the stretches and techniques to release the tension. It was almost as if her body was letting out a long sigh “ahhhh… this feels so goooooooood”.
Stress is not just a mental state—it’s a full-body experience. Our nervous system is constantly reacting to our external environment, shaping how we feel, act, and even how we give birth. Understanding the biology of stress and the role of the autonomic nervous system can empower you to navigate the intensity of birth with more ease. One of the most useful models I use in my work is the Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. Also sometimes referred to as the Science of Safety, this theory explains how our body shifts between different states of safety and survival.
Giving birth is mental
Mircale of birth
Empowering Mothers, Not Just Births
Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers – strong, competent, capable
mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.
-Barbara Katz Rothman-