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Can your nervous system state determine how your labor unfolds?

In this episode, I sit down with midwife Rachel to talk about the nervous system during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — and why feeling safe is the most important factor in labor.

We talk about:
- How the nervous system impacts labor and birth outcomes
- What happens when a birthing person feels unsafe during labor
- The role of oxytocin and the parasympathetic nervous system in birth
- How birth partners can help regulate the nervous system during labor
- The difference between hospital birth and home birth from a nervous system perspective
- How birth trauma affects the nervous system postpartum
- Nervous system regulation techniques for pregnancy and the perinatal period
- How polyvagal theory applies to pregnancy and postpartum

This conversation is for anyone who is pregnant, planning to conceive, or supporting someone through birth.

CHAPTERS:

1:32 - Regulating Your Nervous System as a Caregiver
4:05 - Pregnancy, Stress & Nervous System Health
6:55 - The Midwifery Model of Care
9:35 - Reducing Birth Anxiety
12:35 - How Trauma Affects Labor and Birth
15:15 - Rebuilding Trust in Your Body After a C-Section
18:25 - Managing Fear from Partners or Family
21:45 - Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation in Labor
24:55 - Early Labor Mistakes
27:15 - Natural Pain Relief Tools
30:10 - Different Nervous System Needs
35:35 - Finding Your Center in High-Stress Work
39:05 - Healing Generational Trauma Before Parenthood
42:10 - Postpartum Recovery & the First 40 Days
45:40 - Co-Regulation: How Babies Regulate Through Parents
46:50 - Daily Habits for Nervous System Health

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:
https://www.reconnectedtolife.com/
http://www.birthingway.com/

@reconnectedtolife

North Atlanta Birth

https://www.northatlantabirth.com/home-birth-class

RESOURCES:
→ Free 7-Day Nervous System Reset: https://www.thecalmlab.org/lead-collection
→ Substack Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thecalmlabwithkassandra
→ Instagram: @thecalmlabwithkassandra

LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS:
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aDkTER8NLlkFfiOKAS5Z2?si=83881a9e2ec34c1c
🎧 Apple Podcasts: ht

About Kassandra:
Kassandra is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, breathwork guide, and Harvard-certified lifestyle & wellness coach who blends nervous system education with accessible mind–body practices to help people sleep better, ease anxiety, and feel grounded.

Links:

Rewire Your Nervous System in 7 Days (Free Guide)

The 14-Day Nervous System Reset

The Calm Lab

YouTube

My Apple Music Playlist

Substack

Instagram

LinkedIn

The Calm Lab by Namasté Your Life, LLC recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, and assume all risk of injury to yourself.