#379 Oxytocin: What's the Story? With Dr. Sarah Buckley

Birthing Instincts

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of childbirth with the esteemed Dr. Sarah Buckley, a renowned medical doctor and family physician. Sarah shares her unique insights into the hormonal physiology of childbirth, shaped by her personal experiences of home births and the influential teachings of Michel Odent. Sarah's profound advocacy for natural birth processes, combining her medical expertise with personal experiences, offers invaluable perspectives for anyone in the birthing community.

We discuss the implications of synthetic oxytocin and epidurals on labor, emphasizing the importance of natural oxytocin for pain relief, stress reduction, and mother-infant bonding. The conversation also highlights the significance of personalized midwifery care, skin-to-skin contact post-birth, and the holistic approach to labor that respects both hormonal and hemodynamic factors. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues from both a scientific and evolutionary perspective.

About Dr. Sarah Buckley:

Dr. Sarah Buckley is trained as a family physician/GP with qualifications in GP-obstetrics. She has been writing and lecturing to childbirth professionals and parents since 1997 and is the author of the internationally best-selling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. Sarah has a special interest in the hormones of physiological labor and birth and the impacts of maternity-care interventions. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, researching oxytocin in labor and birth and the impacts of interventions.

She has co-authored several papers on oxytocin in labor, birth, and breastfeeding, and is the author of the 2015 report Hormonal Physiology of Childbirth.

Sarah is also the mother of four adult children, all born at home.

Connect with Dr. Sarah Buckley

• Website: sarahbuckley.com
• Facebook: @DrSarahBuckley
• Instagram: @drsarahjbuckley
• Twitter: @Sarahjbuckley

Resources from Dr. Sarah Buckley:

• Blog: Epidurals
• Blog: How to have the best caesarean
• Blog: Induction
• Blog: Synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) myths and side effects
• Blog: Synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) and autism
• Links to all of Sarah’s PhD publications: com/hormonal-physiology-and-more
• Sarah’s book: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Key highlights:

• Impact of Medical Interventions on Births
• Effects of Pitocin in the Body
• Effect of Oxytocin on Labor
• Synthetic Oxytocin and Postpartum Depression
• Effect of Epidurals on Babies
• Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Join our next Bridge Midwives virtual town hall on September 19th at 5pm PT, or sign up here for updates

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course
• Mama Meals | Go to mama-meals.com code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for $10 off a small box or $20 off any other box. Go to mamamealspantry.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off pantry items

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [e-mail]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com