"Natural birth is not just a choice: it’s your body’s intelligent design." – Shari LyonIn this eye‑opening conversation, I speak with Shari Lyon, founder of Belly2Birth. With over 13 years of experience as a childbirth educator, Shari reveals why natural, physiological birth is often overridden by unnecessary medical interventions, how fear and hospital protocols shift control away from mothers, and the importance of preparing for all birth outcomes.From decoding the impact of synthetic oxytocin to creating a birth map that empowers parents, this episode offers grounded, practical strategies for reclaiming your birth experience.Episode Highlights0:00 – Trailer2:10 – When synthetic hormones create a “hormonal gap”6:02 – Is birth a medical event or a natural process?8:30 – Why interventions have become the default12:15 – The benefits & risks of natural birth vs medical interventions15:20 – How media shapes our fear of birth22:00 – The incredible hormone cocktail of labor30:45 – How fear & stress can stall labor34:24 – Our birth story: high risk labels, induction pressure & pushback38:24 – Understanding interventions and their side effects51:50 – Epidurals, back births & optimal birthing positions59:20 – The moment we decided on a C-section1:05:00 – The “fawn” trauma response in the birth space1:10:50 – Hospital priorities vs parents’ goals1:18:11 – Birth maps & preparing for all outcomes1:22:40 – Final advice to parentsAbout Shari LyonShari Lyon is the founder of Belly2Birth and has spent over 13 years supporting families through pregnancy and childbirth. She helps parents navigate maternity care with clarity, confidence, and evidence-based knowledge — empowering them to have a positive birth experience, whether at home or in hospital.Connect with Shari LyonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/belly2birthConnect with MeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morgantnelsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgantnelsonJoin the Dream Out Loud Facebook Communityhttps://bit.ly/49QXClWDownload the FREE Life By Design Productivity Plannerhttps://planner.morgantnelson.com/optinplanner