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,Dear Reader, We’re still riding the glow from today’s powerful session with Dr. Elisabeth Bolaza, PhD. You can watch or rewatch here. Elisabeth introduced her presentation on the Pleasure Forward Model of Birth, which applies Polyvagal theory to childbirth based on her PhD dissertation study, the Birth Pleasure Study. She shared her personal experiences with childbirth and emphasized her commitment to research justice One of the standout takeaways: research from her Pleasure Study showing that 50% of participants experienced pleasure during birth. Birth is not just pain vs. no pain—it exists on a pleasure–pain spectrum that includes mental, physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual experiences of pleasure. Elisabeth’s Polyvagal framework for birth gave us such a clear, embodied map—how birth shifts depending on whether someone is in thrive mode (parasympathetic, safety, connection), survive mode, or shutdown. When birth happens in fear the body moves into sympathetic “survival mode.” But when we support safety, trust, and pleasure, the body can access rest-and-digest physiology—where birth can unfold more smoothly, comfortably, and even pleasurably. This is cultural transformation work. Birth has been so deeply normalized as painful and miserable that we’ve rarely asked: Elisabeth explores this deeply in her upcoming book, out in March with Routledge: Pleasure in Birth: Wellbeing, Praxis, and Reproductive Justice Stay connected with her here: So many powerful quotes, so many paradigm shifts. Thank you for being part of a movement that centers birth not just as something to survive—but something that can be supported, embodied, and profoundly human and pleasurable. Please share your favorite takeaway on WhatsApp Love, Debra P.S. Next week's call is at 3 pm et instead of 12 pm et!
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Debra Pascali-Bonaro is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, podcaster, filmmaker, doula trainer, childbirth educator, and author. Debra’s podcast, Orgasmic Birth heals barriers and opens the door to share secrets to more love and intimacy in birth and parenting. She brings together her passion for pleasure in every aspect of life with her Jersey-Girl attitude of talking about what no one is talking about! Debra is a mother, grandmother and featured expert in parenting journals and media around the world. Debra is also Co-Chair of the International Childbirth Initiative and Chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative both of which promote safe, respectful maternity care. She is a Lamaze International childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret and co-writer of “Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth”, Author of The Ultimate Guide To Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy and the Founder & President of the revolutionary online childbirth class Pleasurable Birth Essentials which prepares expectant mothers, fathers, and partners to be positively prepared for birth and focuses on the intimate and sacred nature of birth. Debra’s passion comes from her over 30 years of working with women, men, midwives, doulas, physicians and nurses in over 40 countries bringing comfort, love, and pleasure to birth and life!