Episode 11
5min Hypnobirthing Episode 2 - Your Brain and Birth
Today we’re talking about the brain and birth.
Now, when people think about labour, they usually picture the uterus, the cervix, the physical side of things. But honestly? Your brain might just be the most important organ in the room.
Episode Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Pregnant in Aberdeen Podcast, I’m your host, Jade Gordon, hypnotherapist and hypnobirthing teacher, I’ve been teaching hypnobirthing locally for more than 10 years, and today I’m bringing you part 3 of our new series 5 minute hypnobirthing. So let’s dive in!
Today we’re unpacking something your body has known since caveman days: fight, flight, freeze and comparing it to birthing flow.
Most of us know the fight-flight-freeze response. You see danger, your body floods with adrenaline. Muscles tense, pupils dilate, heart pounds. Great if you’re facing a polar bear. Not so great if you’re trying to birth a baby.
Here’s why: when adrenaline spikes, your body prioritises survival, not reproduction. Blood flow gets redirected to your arms and legs, away from your uterus and digestive system. Your body is preparing to run or fight, it’s trying to help you survive. Your muscles get tight. Contractions slow. Pain feels sharper. Basically, your body thinks, “Now is not a good time to have a baby.”
And that’s absolutely key, because it’s not that your mind and your body isn’t doing something wrong. It’s doing it’s best to help you, to protect you and baby. But it’s misguided, it’s triggering a danger response because something is unfamiliar to you, not necessarily because their is danger.
But there’s another option: the birthing flow response. When you feel safe, calm, and supported, your body switches gears. Oxytocin flows. Endorphins rise. Your uterus gets all the blood and oxygen it needs to contract smoothly. That’s the sweet spot hypnobirthing aims for.
Let me give you an image. Imagine two cats. One is cornered, fur puffed up, hissing. That’s fight-flight-freeze. The other is curled up in a sunny window, purring. That’s like our birthing flow. Which cat do you think your uterus wants to be?
The trick is that your mind can trigger either state. That’s why hypnobirthing uses affirmations, breathing, and environment to keep you in that birthing flow state as much as possible.
AND it teaches you how to switch back when you do dip into that fight-flight-freeze state.
Things like dim lighting, familiar smells, gentle touch — these signal safety to your primal brain.
And once you’ve practiced this during pregnancy, your body learns the shortcut. With practice, a few breaths or a familiar cue can shift you from fight-flight-freeze into flow. That’s powerful.
So the next time you think about birth, remember this: your body isn’t working against you. It’s just responding to signals. Feed it signals of calm, and you’ll set yourself up for a smoother ride.
And if you’ve ever tried to get Wi-Fi to work in a crowded café, you already know — the right environment makes all the difference.
That’s it for today. Join me next time for The Science of Relaxation — why your nervous system is the secret weapon for birth.
I’m Jade, and this is the Pregnant in Aberdeen Podcast, if you have any questions get in touch with me at [email protected].