In this week’s episode of the Birthing Instincts podcast, Blyss Stu challenge one of the most ignored questions in modern obstetrics: what does birth actually do to a human being? Joined by midwife and pre- and perinatal psychology educator Mary Jackson, they explore how experiences from conception through early childhood leave lasting imprints on the nervous system, emotional development, and lifelong behavior.

Mary unpacks how routine medical interventions, often dismissed as benign or “necessary”, can carry psychological and physiological consequences for both babies and mothers, consequences that are rarely acknowledged or integrated. The conversation pushes back against a system that prioritizes efficiency and control over awareness, connection, and respect for the baby’s lived experience. This episode is an invitation to slow down, question what has been normalized in birth culture, and reconsider what it truly means to protect, honor, and support the innate intelligence of birth.

About Mary:

Mary Jackson started her journey to become a home birth midwife in 1975. She has had the honor to catch her second generation of babies. She supports families to integrate their early experiences of preconception throughout their life span.

She incorporates Castellino somatic pre and perinatal psychology, Somatic Experience, Circle of Security, BCST, her training as an RN and Licensed Midwife. She is an international teacher/speaker and has brought her work to 12 countries. She currently teaches the Castellino foundation Training.

Website: birthinconnection.com / castellinotraining.com

Email: mjmidwife@gmail.com

References:

WSJ Article: ‘My Family Thought I Was Crazy’: More Women Are Choosing to Give Birth at Home

Substack: There’s Now a Medical Code for Vaccine Counseling Without Giving a Vaccine

Dr. Joe Tate, Peachtree Corners, GA

TheHighwire.com

The Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health

Discussed in This Episode

Pre and Perinatal Psychologist, Mary Jackson

Recognizing Birth Interventions in Adult Life

Understanding Birth Sequences and Their Impact

The Phases of Labor and Birth

Effects of Interventions During Labor on Baby and Mother

The Baby's Experience and Long-Term Effects

Repairing Birth Imprints in Children and Adults

Supporting Babies and Parents Post-Birth

The Importance of Birth Stories

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care

This show is supported by

WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

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Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

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