Nurtured Birth Conversations

Providing deep insight into maternal stress, this episode features special guest Concetta Ferretti - a mother with a background in biology and PhD in oncology; and the creator of @the.stressed.species Instagram account.  Concetta shares her journey through motherhood, particularly highlighting how her daughter's birth during the pandemic and resultant isolation intensified her stress experience. The conversation explores the scientific and biological underpinnings of stress, early life experiences and how these influences shape one’s coping mechanisms. Concetta emphasises the need for knowledge on stress physiology and coping strategies, touching upon neuroplasticity in motherhood and the potential for mothers to rewire their responses to stress. Additionally, topics like birth trauma, perinatal mood disorders, and the importance of seeking support and self-care are discussed, alongside Concetta’s future plans in integrating her scientific knowledge with clinical therapy practice to support mothers through stress and chronic disorders. 00:00 Introduction 01:58 Concetta’s journey in understanding maternal stress 05:52 The biology of stress and it’s relationship with early life experiences 19:59 Understanding coping styles and their impact 38:11 The role of birth experiences in maternal stress 44:28 Empowering strategies to address maternal wellbeing 48:27 Where to follow Concetta’s work Concetta Ferretti’s Bio Concetta is a scientist with a background in Biology, a Ph.D. in Oncology, and research experience in chronic disorders. She is currently studying to become a Marriage and Family therapist with a medical specialization. She aims to understand how stress and early life experiences shape mental and physical health. Her work is trauma-informed and benefits from the latest findings in developmental neurobiology and interpersonal neuroscience. She shares her knowledge on Instagram, where she wants to empower mothers with science and wisdom to manage their stress and nurture their babies’ brain and attachment relationship. Website https://thestressedspecies.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.stressed.species/ About Mandy Cai  Mandy Cai is the mother of two wild-hearted children, certified Birth Educator and Founder of Making Mothers - an online community focused on supporting women to understand significance of birth on maternal wellbeing. She is also the creator of The Birth Experience Journal, a guided postpartum journal for mothers to honour, heal and transform their narratives around our most significant rite of passage.  Join The Understanding Birth Trauma Course https://makingmothers.myflodesk.com/birth-trauma-mini-course Shop The Birth Experience Journal https://wearemakingmothers.com/products/the-birth-experience-journal  Join The Making Mother's Community "The Sanctuary" https://community.wearemakingmothers.com/ Follow @makingmothers on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/makingmothers/ Website https://wearemakingmothers.com

Recorded live on the 27th February 2022. From the conscious conception of her daughter, to her pursuit for an unmedicated birth, Shreeni Shukla’s unexpected birth story is one that was met with awareness and trust. In this talk, we will explore how connecting with her inner wisdom during her pregnancy and learning about our magnificent bodies led her to having a positive experience despite things not going according to plan when she needed an induction. This is a beautiful story of how a woman’s knowledge of her body resulted in making conscious decisions for her birth given her unique set of circumstances. Shreni’s resources:  Books  - Birthing from within - Pam England   - Ina May’s guide to childbirth - The natural pregnancy - Aviva Jill Romn - The birth Partner - Penny Simkin - The fourth trimester - Kimberly Ann Johnson - The continuum concept - Jean Liedoff Where to find Shreni  - Instagram: @shreens  - Wechat ID: shrenishukla Where to find Mandy - Instagram: @_mandycai  - Wechat ID: mandyacai Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded live on Zoom the 19th October 2021. In this beautiful talk, Dr Leila Sabet shares her experience in becoming an IBCLC as a Paediatrician. Through her personal story she weaves a passionate tale of becoming a breastfeeding advocate with scientific evidence, providing us with insight into the limitations of traditional medical training in the lactation space. Leila’s resources: Studies mentioned in the podcast can be downloaded here - https://mandycai.cowtransfer.com/s/98194362843042 https://themilkmeg.com/ingredients-in-breastmilk-versus-artificial-breastmilk-formula/

Recorded live on the 26th September 2021. This talk is passionate dive into the field of Psychogenealogy with Psychologist Bibiana Rueda-Bueno exploring inherited generational patterns. We look at using this framework to understand the connectedness of our family tree and begin to unravel the connectedness of our thought and behavioural patterns and how it impacts future generations.  Bibiana’s resources:  Authors  - Gabor Mate  - Eckhart Tolle  - Shefali Tsabury  Books  - A Gifted Child  - Conscious Parenting  Podcasts  - Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations with Dr Shefali Tsabury  - Dhru Purohit Podcast #192 Breaking Free of Old Habits, Addiction, and Past Traumas with Dr Gabor Mate  Where to find Bibiana  - Instagram & Facebook: @bibianaruedabueno.psychologist  - Wechat ID: bibianarueda  Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded on Zoom on the 2nd of September 2021. With guest host Natali Deftereos, of Gatekeeper Conversations, we discuss the insights I’ve had from the powerful birth of my daughter. What started off as a pursuit for an unmedicated childbirth, led me down the path of studying birth education, resulting in a passion for positive birth experiences as a human right. Mandy’s resources: Books: Birth With Confidence - Rhea Dempsey Nurture - Erica Chidi Cohen Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin Sarah Buckley - Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering & Ecstatic Birth The First Forty Days - Heng Ou The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding Unlatched - Jennifer Grayson Thought leaders: Rhea Dempsey Dr Sarah Buckley Dr Rachel Reed Jane Hardwicke Collings Ina May Gaskin Dr Melanie Jackson Kim Anami Programs: SheBirths Spinning Babies Evidence Based Birth Hypnobirthing - Katherine Graves Childbirth Education with Childbirth International Podcasts: - Untaming #12 Sarah Buckley: the significance of nature’s hormonal blueprint for labour and birth - Moving Inward: changing the birth narrative with Rhea Dempsey Where to find Mandy: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mandycai - Wechat ID: mandyacai Where to find Natali: - Instagram: https://instagram.com/natali_creates Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded live in Shanghai on the 2nd of August 2021. Lea Hindelang, mother of an 18 month old little boy, shares her story about how motherhood became the ultimate push for her to do the things her heart and soul desired. From learning to play again to getting in touch with her body, her pregnancy and birth cultivated the courage she needed to let go of old beliefs, leading her to change her career and outlook on life. Lea’s resources: Birth & Hypnobirthing - The First Cry, 2007, French documentary about births around the world directed by Gilles de Maistres - Surfing for Birthing – Inspirational Childbirth Preparation by Shawdeya (Spotify) - The Eve Complex: Birth Hypnosis for a Better Birth by Rae Voller (Spotify) Life Changing Experiences - Follow your intuition and listen to your Self - Yoga Teacher Training with Rajeev at Drishti Vinyasa Yoga Shala (Wechat: Drishti Vinyasa Yoga) - Reiki training with Sera Shivnan (website: https://www.shivenergetics.com) Personal Development Books - The Little Book of IKIGAI, The essential Japanese way to finding your purpose in Life, Book by Ken Mogi - Loving What Is, Four questions that can change your life, Book by Byron Katie - Light on Life, The journey to wholeness, inner peace and ultimate freedom, Book by B.K.S. Iyengar - Awaken the Giant Within, How to take immediate control of your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial destiny, Book by Tony Robbins Where to find Lea - Instagram: @leahindelang https://www.instagram.com/leahindelang/ - Wechat ID: hindelanglea Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded live in Shanghai on the 20th of June 2021. For this episode we welcomed Jama Borchuu, a mother of two beautiful boys, who shared her two drastically different births. In a deeply reflective and gentle manner, she contrasts the simple-minded attitude she had for her first traumatic birth and the consciously determined mindset she had for her empowered second experience. A beautiful story of personal redemption and healing, Jama’s narrative highlights the importance of reclaiming one’s own power. Jama’s resources: Hypnobirthing - Katharine Graves Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded live in Shanghai on the 22nd of May 2021. Kurt Tropiano, coach and breathwork facilitator, shares his story about what it was like to be his wife Natasha’s primary birth partner for an unmedicated birth through a 3 day labour amidst the pandemic. We cover how he held space for her during challenging moments of their long labour, how it felt to bring his daughter Orelia into the world and witnessing his wife’s transformation from maiden to mother. Kurt’s resources: The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr Oscar Serrallach Hypnobirthing The Morgan Method Doula Mika Rock https://instagram.com/mikarockdoula Embodiman Shanghai https://instagram.com/embodiman_shanghai Where to find Kurt: Instagram @kurttropiano https://instagram.com/kurttropiano Wechat ID ktropiano Where to find Natasha: Instagram @birthblissandbeyond https://instagram.com/birthblissandbeyond Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry

Recorded live in Shanghai on the 12th of April 2021. For our first Nurtured Birth Conversation, Melissa Arnesen-Trunzo shares her experience pursuing an unmedicated birth for her daughter Keena. Through her journey, she discovered alternative tools to help with anxiety and cultivate mindfulness for her birth as well as highlighting the importance of support from her husband Edwin and birth team. Mel’s Birth, Labour and Delivery Resources: Reiki- https://www.shivenergetics.com/ Mindfulness (MBSR) – Delphine: [email protected] Kineciology- https://wholistic-therapies.com/2018/05/17/reiki-energy-transfer-therapy/ Gaia Learning- https://linktr.ee/gaialearning Books: Mindfulness Birthing by Nancy Bardacke A Holistic Guide To Pregnancy and Childbirth: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra, M.D., etc. Expecting Better by Emily Oster Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen Hypnobirthing The Morgan Method Post-partum: Core-Floor-Restore- coreandfloor.com.au Glo yoga: web.glo.com The First Forty Days by Heng Ou Podcasts/App’s: Love and Guts The Awakened Pregnancy Waking Up- Sam Harris (Mindfulness App) Special thanks to Okra for opening up their space for us to have these conversations. Find them at https://instagram.com/okrajewelry