Birth is a Sequence

Birth is often talked about as an event as in something that begins with labor and ends when the baby is born. But our bodies and nervous systems experience birth differently. Birth is a sequence: preparation, beginning, action, completion, integration, and rest. And when parts of that sequence happen too quickly, are interrupted, or don't have the opportunity to fully complete, those experiences can sometimes continue to show up in the body long after the birth itself is over. In this solo episode, I explore birth through the lens of pre- and perinatal somatics and the nervous system. I break down implicit memory, interoception, birth imprints, and why our earliest experiences can influence how we respond to the world without becoming conscious memories or stories. We also look at birth from the baby's perspective, what it means when a physiological or relational sequence is disrupted, and how presence, co-regulation, attachment, and repair can give both parents and babies new experiences in the present. In this episode, I talk about: What pre- and perinatal somatic therapy is Interoception and learning to notice what is happening inside the body The difference between implicit and explicit memory Why our earliest experiences can influence present-day patterns What we mean by birth imprints and the body's underlying blueprint for health Why birth is a physiological, nervous system, and relational sequence What can happen when part of the birth sequence is interrupted or happens differently than expected Looking at birth and postpartum experiences from the baby's perspective How babies communicate through their bodies and behavior The role of presence and co-regulation for both parents and babies Rupture, repair, and why secure attachment does not require perfection How we can offer choice, slowness, connection, and support in the present rather than trying to change the past Why healing itself is a sequence This episode isn't about analyzing every part of your birth or assuming every struggle traces back to something that happened during pregnancy or delivery. It's an invitation to become more curious about the body's experience. The birth may be over, but sometimes our nervous systems still need time, support, connection, or repair to fully arrive in the after. We can't change the birth that already happened, but we can bring something different to what happens next. Birth is a sequence. Attachment is a sequence. Healing is a sequence. And none of them require perfection. Connect with Lesha: Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ Previous Episodes Mentioned in this Episode: Kate White episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/04Tx79jOoZj7pHPtZtBuM2?si=0a2f1893fc864c37 Interoception episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mUTpNQ0DH2HnqUPtjvHof?si=51a37f0bf5074b09