Sarah Buckley is a New-Zealand-trained GP/family physician with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning. She's also a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, where her research is focused on the hormone systems of labour and birth and the impacts of interventions. Sarah is the mother of four home-born children, and currently combines motherhood with her work as a writer on pregnancy, birth, and parenting. She's the author of the bestselling book, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. In this episode, we discuss: How the birth of Sarah’s children inspired her passion Nature’s hormonal blueprint for labour and birth The impact of epidurals and C-sections on hormonal flow The reward and pleasure of birth Preconception planning The model of care Trusting your body Home birth is a safe option Water births Be flexible The impact of ultrasounds Get in touch with your baby Everything has its pros and cons The truth about epidurals The importance of oxytocin Ecstatic birth How a C-section affects the baby Why you should delay cord clamping Health benefits of the placenta What is a lotus birth? Power of skin-to-skin contact The rewarding benefits of breastfeeding Co-sleeping and breast-sleeping Find your tribe Educate yourself Show sponsors: Perfect Keto <== 20% off all Perfect Keto products and they ship worldwide (free shipping in the US)* Thrive Market <== As a new customer you get a free 30-day membership, 25% off your order, and free shipping (US only)* Sunwarrior <== 10% off all Sunwarrior products & free shipping over $100 Raw Elements <== 10% off all Raw Elements products - Apply the code TUHP at checkout (free shipping over $100) Related links: Dr. Sarah Buckley – Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering (book)* Dr. Sarah Buckley's website Follow Dr. Sarah Buckley on Facebook Ecstatic Birth (Sarah's ebook) Dr. Sarah Buckley - Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing (report) Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy – Your Questions Answered! (Sarah's blog) Epidurals in Labour (Sarah's blog) Leaving Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the Third Stage of labour (Sarah's blog) What’s so Great about Hormonal Physiology? (Sarah's blog) Undisturbed Birth (DVD) Why Not Home (documentary)* Living Libations essential oils* James J. McKenna, PhD – Co-sleeping La Leche League Australian Breastfeeding Association Mothering Magazine Note: Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links won't cost you anything but we will receive a small commission. This is an easy, free way of supporting the podcast. Thank you! How can you support our podcast? 1. Apple users, please subscribe and review our show on Apple Podcasts, we make sure to read them all. Android users, be sure to follow our show on Spotify. Subscribers never miss any of the action ;) 2. Tell a friend about The Ultimate Health Podcast. They will surely thank you later. You can use the envelope button below to email a friend or tell them about TUHP in person. 3. Join TUHP Facebook group (FREE). This is where we all stay in touch and ask questions in between episodes. Join our community. 4. Our favourite social media platform is Instagram. Follow our adventures. 5. Share using the buttons below. Thank you!