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

Sarah is the mother of four home-born children, and currently combines motherhood with her work as a writer on pregnancy, birth, and parenting. She's the author of the bestselling book, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the birth of Sarah’s children inspired her passion
• Nature’s hormonal blueprint for labour and birth
• The impact of epidurals and C-sections on hormonal flow
• The reward and pleasure of birth
• Preconception planning
• The model of care
• Trusting your body
• Home birth is a safe option
• Water births
• Be flexible
• The impact of ultrasounds
• Get in touch with your baby
• Everything has its pros and cons
• The truth about epidurals
• The importance of oxytocin
• Ecstatic birth
• How a C-section affects the baby
• Why you should delay cord clamping
• Health benefits of the placenta
• What is a lotus birth?
• Power of skin-to-skin contact
• The rewarding benefits of breastfeeding
• Co-sleeping and breast-sleeping
• Find your tribe
• Educate yourself

Show sponsors:

Perfect Keto <== 20% off all Perfect Keto products and they ship worldwide (free shipping in the US)

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Related links:

Dr. Sarah Buckley – Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering (book)

Dr. Sarah Buckley's website

Follow Dr. Sarah Buckley on Facebook

Ecstatic Birth (Sarah's ebook)

Dr. Sarah Buckley - Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing (report)

Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy – Your Questions Answered! (Sarah's blog)

Epidurals in Labour (Sarah's blog)

Leaving Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the Third Stage of labour (Sarah's blog)

What’s so Great about Hormonal Physiology? (Sarah's blog)

Undisturbed Birth (DVD)

Why Not Home (documentary)

Living Libations essential oils

James J. McKenna, PhD – Co-sleeping

La Leche League

Australian Breastfeeding Association

Mothering Magazine

Related episodes:

315: Genevieve Howland aka Mama Natural – Preparing For A Healthy Pregnancy & Childbirth

262: Jen Oliver – Core Rehab • Travelling With Young Kids • Saying Thank You

206: Josh Gitalis – Support During Pregnancy • Boost Your Immunity • Testing For Heavy Metals

204: Meghan Telpner – A “Natural” Birth Story

079: Joy McCarthy – Natural Pregnancy | Work-Life Balance As A New Mom | Should You Exercise While You’re Pregnant?

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