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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
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