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In this re-air of Episode 248 of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with trauma therapist, nutritionist, and mental health consultant Dr. Jaz Robbins to explore the powerful role mirror neurons can play in labor, birth outcomes, and the overall birth experience. Dr. Jaz breaks down the science behind mirror neurons and explains how we naturally absorb the emotions, energy, and behaviors of the people around us, especially in high-stress moments like labor.

Together, they discuss how intense stress can take the prefrontal cortex offline during labor, increasing fight, flight, or freeze responses, particularly for those with a trauma history. HeHe and Dr. Jaz also unpack why providers, doulas, and partners often become the grounding presence in the room, and how tone of voice, body language, eye contact, breathing, and calm leadership can help create safety and support physiological birth.

They also cover trauma-informed communication, the harm of labeling someone a “difficult patient,” provider burnout, and practical ways partners can prepare before labor so they know how to confidently support when it matters most.

This episode is a powerful reminder that birth is not just physical. The emotional environment in the room matters too.

Timestamps:

00:00 Mirror Neurons Teaser

00:48 Free Pitocin Guide

02:07 Why This Episode Matters

04:11 Meet Dr Jazz Robbins

07:38 Defining Mirror Neurons

10:53 Monkey Study Breakthrough

13:55 Birth Room Dynamics

20:43 Nervous System States

26:58 Trauma And Freeze Response

34:17 Who Leads Attunement

35:41 Using Mirror Neurons Well

35:47 Mirror Neurons in Birth Prep

37:01 Partner Training and Prenatal Classes

40:38 Safety and Positive Birth Mindset

40:59 Difficult Patient Reframe

42:41 Provider Burnout and Bias

46:43 Patient Self Advocacy Scripts

49:53 Trauma Informed Provider Response

53:34 Preparing Partners to Ground

55:10 Mirror Neuron Tools in Labor

01:02:13 Key Takeaways and Helpers High

01:04:49 Wrap Up and Where to Connect

01:06:03 Podcast Outro and Call to Action

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jaz Robbins is a therapist, nutritionist, author, professor, and mental health consultant. She is the founder of the nonprofit, Healing, Hope & Love as well as the mental health consulting firm, The Active Experience®. She specializes in working with clients who have histories of trauma and/or complicated health concerns. Additionally, Dr. Robbins is a poet and stage performer who enjoys integrating expressive arts into her work with clients when appropriate.

Work with Dr. Jaz: https://www.drjazrobbins.com/

The Active Experience: https://www.activeexperience.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Dr. Jaz on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jazrobbins/

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page