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Hyper-vigilance is common in pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period — but rarely named. In this episode, we explore what hyper-vigilance really is, why so many women experience it, and how it impacts mothers, partners, and babies.

We talk about nervous system safety, surveillance culture in maternity care, why reassurance often doesn’t help, and what truly supports healing — without pathologising women or telling them to 'just relax'.

This episode is for:

• Pregnant women who feel unable to switch off
• Women reflecting on births that looked fine but felt exhausting
• Mothers who can’t rest even when their baby sleeps
• Partners who want to support without fixing

In this episode we cover:

• What hyper-vigilance actually is (and what it isn’t)
• How pregnancy culture trains women to stay on alert
• The impact of hyper-vigilance on labour and oxytocin
• Why surrender in birth is a nervous system state, not a mindset
• Postpartum hyper-vigilance and sleep
• The effect on partners and relationships
• What genuinely helps nervous systems soften and repair
• Why this work matters before labour begins

Aimee and Tom's story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ultimate-guide-to-being-a-birth-partner/id1541228817?i=1000536622734

If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford

If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-

Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove

The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF

You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner

Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable for ...