In this episode, host Keshia Tognazzini sits down with Dr Sarah Buckley — GP, researcher, and one of the world's leading voices on the hormonal physiology of birth — to unpack what actually happens in the body during physiological labour, and what gets lost when birth is interrupted, induced, or moved into an operating theatre. They cover the "private, safe and unobserved" foundation every labouring mammal needs, the oxytocin feedback loop that turns early labour into an unstoppable "snowball," the fetus ejection reflex, why pre-labour caesareans leave a measurable hormonal gap for both mother and baby, and practical ways to protect your hormones if a hospital transfer is part of your plan. 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. Dr Buckley has a special interest in the hormones of physiological labour and birth and the impact of maternity-care interventions. She recently completed her PhD at the University of Queensland on Oxytocin in Childbirth, and is also the author of the 2015 report Hormonal Physiology of Childbirth. She is mother to four adult children and grandmother to one, all born at home. She lives on the semi-rural outskirts of Brisbane, Australia. Find Sarah: Website: sarahbuckley.com Facebook: @DrSarahBuckley Instagram: @DrSarahJBuckley Twitter/X: @Sarahjbuckley What We Cover What "undisturbed birth" actually means, and why every labouring mammal needs to feel private, safe, and unobserved The evolutionary roots of birth hormones — 65+ million years of placental mammal physiology Why labour can stall the moment a labouring woman moves from home to hospital The "saber-toothed tiger effect": how adrenaline and cortisol counteract oxytocin The Ferguson reflex and the "snowball of labour" — how a positive feedback loop turns early contractions into an unstoppable process Oxytocin receptor density and why the uterus becomes exponentially more sensitive to oxytocin by the end of pregnancy What the jugular-vein oxytocin studies from the 1970s–80s actually found The fetal catecholamine surge, and what babies miss out on with a pre-labour caesarean Why current research shows no safety benefit to elective pre-labour caesarean over physiological birth Skin-to-skin contact as a way to "fill hormonal gaps" after interventions Melatonin, darkness, and why humans likely evolved to labour at night The difference between an undisturbed birth and an unassisted (free) birth Practical tips for protecting your hormones if you're planning a hospital transfer Links & References Mentioned Sarah Buckley's Website All of Sarah's PhD publications Epidurals — risks and FAQ How to Have the Best Caesarean Labour Induction: Making Choices Synthetic Oxytocin (Pitocin): Myths and Side Effects Does Pitocin Cause Autism? Research Publications Referenced Buckley S, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Pajalic Z, Luegmair K, Ekström-Bergström A, Dencker A, et al. Maternal and newborn plasma oxytocin levels in response to maternal synthetic oxytocin administration during labour, birth and postpartum — a systematic review with implications for the function of the oxytocinergic system. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023;23(1):137. Read here Uvnäs-Moberg K, Ekström-Bergström A, Berg M, Buckley S, Pajalic Z, Hadjigeorgiou E, et al. Maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during physiological childbirth — a systematic review with implications for uterine contractions and central actions of oxytocin. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019;19(1):285. Read here People & Concepts Mentioned in Conversation Michel Odent — French surgeon, water-birth pioneer, and originator of the "private, safe and unobserved" framing and the fetus ejection reflex Robbie Davis-Floyd — medical anthropologist, coined "birth as a technocratic rite of passage" Sheila Kitzinger — birth anthropologist referenced on cross-cultural birth support Nils Bergman — researcher/advocate for "no separation" and skin-to-skin practice, including during caesarean birth Rhea Dempsey — referenced for the phrase "crisis of confidence" in labour Leader & Lederman et al. — 1970s–80s studies on maternal adrenaline and fetal heart rate patterns in early labour Robin Lim — midwife referenced regarding birth culture in Bali This Episode Is Supported By INBLUEM Skincare — Pure, plant-based skincare made in Byron Bay — no toxins, no fillers, no fuss. In Bloom is offering Return to Wisdom listeners a discount. Use code RETURNTOWISDOMPODCAST at inbluem.com/returntowisdompodcast Kim Anami — Holistic sex and relationship coaching for reconnecting with your body and your partner. Register for courses here — using it also supports the podcast. Superfeast — This episode is brought to you by Superfeast. Enjoy 10% off your order with the code RETURNTOWISDOM at superfeast.com.au