Pregnancy, Birth, and Transformation with Britta Bushnell, Ph.D
Britta Bushnell, Ph.D, has been working with expecting individuals and couples for over 20 years, focusing on the transformational journey of pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood. Her work with parents has been enriched by her doctoral work in mythology and psychology, her years spent as a co-owner of Birthing From Within, as well as her dedicated study of solution-focused brief therapy, storytelling, and sustaining sexual vibrancy and helping romantic partnerships thrive even during parenthood. A celebrated speaker, author, teacher, and presenter, Britta shares her insights through classes and in her book, Transformed by Birth.
“Birth doesn’t happen in an intellectual state. How do we step into that bodily-driven energy that doesn’t pay much attention to evidence and statistics? If we’re so used to facts and figures, we may have a hard time stretching into that more animalistic element.”
Emilia and I recently attended one of Britta’s intensive two-day workshops, and it gave us both an incredible new perspective on the journey we’re about to undertake in becoming parents. It was such a privilege to get to sit down with her after the fact and discuss the strategies she uses to demystify the birthing process while preserving and honoring the wonder and transformation that occurs. Whatever stage you’re at in this journey—whether you’re thinking about starting a family, are currently expecting, have already become a parent, or are simply interested in the human experience—this episode is for you.
“We need to find a way to step into, and become, more okay with being untamed, with being a little out of control. Or a lot out of control. We need to find a way to feel okay even when we feel that unfamiliar, untamed energy of the unknown.”
The goal of Britta’s classes, and why they’re 16 hours long (4:00)
The art of storytellling in the context of birth (10:00)
Apollo and Artemis, and the balance between order and wilderness (13:00)
How to chart the course through the labyrinth (22:00)
Birth as an introduction to “parenthood pain” (25:00)
Going through pain as a partner and how to be present with “empowered helplessness” (28:00)
Ice as a labor simulation tool (36:00)
How do we resist the resistance? By reframing our emotions (40:00)
The reconfiguration of roles and the shift of identity (53:00)
What really matters in the midst of a transformative experience (59:00)
The different energies in inhaling and exhaling (1:01:00)
The dissonance between the energy of birth and the way we live (1:07:45)
How do you create a safe container? (1:13:45)
The correlation between arousal hormones and birth stimulating ones (1:17:30)
Why Britta’s mom’s book group is reading Transformed by Birth (1:23:00)
Britta’s birthing a podcast (1:27:30)
In This Episode
Joe’s episode with Ben Greenfield
Britta’s birth transformation workshop
Where to Find Britta
Facebook | Instagram | Website
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