In this powerful episode of The Journey Ahead, I sit down with the legendary Dr Sarah Buckley - GP, researcher, author, and one of the most trusted global voices in the birth world. We dive deep into the hormonal blueprint of labour and birth: what it is, why it matters, and how it’s often disrupted by well-meaning (but poorly evidenced) interventions. Dr Buckley shares the science behind oxytocin, the cascade of hormonal physiology, and how to support this process, even when the birth you planned takes a different turn.

We explore:

• The role of hormones in labour, birth, and bonding
• How interventions (even common ones) can shift the physiological flow
• The long-term impact of disrupted birth experiences
• What you can do when you’re navigating birth in a system that doesn’t always honour physiology
• How knowledge, advocacy, and environment can help you reclaim your power

Whether you're planning a home birth, navigating hospital policies, or just want to feel more connected to your body's innate wisdom - this episode is a must-listen.

Dr Sarah Buckley is a globally renowned GP/family physician, academic researcher, and author known for her groundbreaking work on the hormonal physiology of birth.

She is the author of the bestselling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, and the lead author of the landmark report Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing, widely considered one of the most influential publications on maternity care to date.

Her work bridges science, anthropology, and intuition, encouraging women and birthing people to be fully informed, trust their bodies, and reclaim their innate power in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. With over 25 years of experience writing and speaking on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, Dr Buckley’s work has been published and translated worldwide. She is currently completing a PhD on oxytocin and the impact of interventions on hormonal physiology at the University of Queensland.

To explore more of Dr Buckley's work:

🌐 www.sarahbuckley.com

📖 Get the book: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

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📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

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