Most people think labor begins with the first contraction, but your body actually starts preparing weeks before. Your cervix remodels, your hormones shift, and even your baby and placenta begin sending signals that it’s almost time.
In this episode with Sarah Thompson, author of Functional Maternity, we unpack the science of functional childbirth. We talk about what happens behind the scenes in late pregnancy and how you can naturally support it.
We discuss:
- How cervix ripening happens and what supports it naturally
- The roles of vitamin A, D, zinc, omega-3s, and other nutrients in labor readiness
- How stress and safety change your oxytocin levels and why connection matters more than pressure
- What research really says about red raspberry leaf, evening primrose oil, and castor oil
- How to prepare your body for birth
Whether you’re weeks from your due date or planning ahead, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on inside your body and how to work with it, not against it.
Subscribe for more science-backed, calm, and empowering conversations about women’s health because tiny changes make a whole new you.
Connect with Viktoriya:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeOptimizerPodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoptimizerpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeoptimizerpodcast
Connect with Sarah Thompson:
Website: https://www.functionalmaternity.com/#/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functional.maternity/
Resources mentioned: https://www.functionalmaternity.com/ebooks.html#/
__________________________________________________________
Download the 5 Labs Every Woman Should Have here: https://lifeoptimizer.mykajabi.com/pl/2148690224
Get the Hormone Symptom Tracker here: https://lifeoptimizer.mykajabi.com/pl/2148693926
Sign up for the RESET Program Waitlist: https://lifeoptimizer.mykajabi.com/pl/2148688132
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com