Dr Buckley’s articles
Please note that these articles are copyright to Dr Sarah Buckley and may not be reproduced in any way, including print email or online, without contacting Dr Buckley for specific permission.
Pain in Labour: Your Hormones are your Helpers (Updated to 2026)
A simple overview of your amazing birthing hormones, and how they are designed to help you and your baby to labour and birth with ease, pleasure and safety.
Ecstatic Birth: Nature’s Hormonal Blueprint for Labour
This article is out of date and has been removed. Dr Buckley will be updating this as an ebook including her new PhD research findings. Sign up to our elist to be notified when this is available, later in 2026.
Leaving Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the Third Stage of Labour (Updated to 2026)
What is Mother Nature’s blueprint for mother and baby in the magical hour or so after birth? The third stage – from when the mother births her baby to when she delivers her baby’s placenta– is often rushed and hurried for both mother and baby, and usually includes the routine use of drugs and early cutting of the umbilical cord. This article explores the significance of this time for mother and baby, the possible impacts of drugs and procedures commonly used, and the potential risks of early cord cutting for mother and baby.
Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing (2015)
The Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing (HPoC) report was commissioned by Childbirth Connection, and published by the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) in 2015. With over 1100 scientific references, HPoC is a comprehensive summary of current scientific understandings of the hormones of pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting, and also documents the impacts of common maternity-care interventions on these processes. See also Dr Buckley’s co-authored research publications on the oxytocin system.
Epidurals: Risks and Concerns for Mothers and Babies (2005*)
Many women choose to have an epidural to help with pain during labor, but may not realize that choosing an epidural can have major impacts for themselves and their babies, from labour right through to breastfeeding and bonding. Dr Buckley’s article gives information and evidence to help women to make an informed choice in this important area. Dr Buckley will be updating this as an ebook with her new PhD research findings. Sign up to our elist to be notified when this is available, later in 2026.
Ultrasound Scans: Cause For Concern (2005*)
This article is out of date and has been removed. For ultrasound updates to 2016, see Dr Buckley’s blog Ultrasound scans in pregnancy: Your questions answered
Giving Birth at Home (2010)
An introduction to the safety and benefits of homebirth, this article gives information to help you decide if homebirth might be right for you and your family.
Healing Birth, Healing the Earth (2016)
Sarah’s powerful essay on the lessons of birth – passion, love, power and surrender – and the healing that we can experience, individually and globally, through respecting and reclaiming this ancient rite of passage. Updated to 2016.
Attachment Parenting (2005*)
A delightful introduction to the simplicity and wisdom of attachment parenting, where we accept that mother and baby need to be physically and emotionally close. Ideal for new and experienced parents alike. For more information about the benefits of attachment parenting for your baby’s development and lifelong wellbeing, see Chapter 11 “Love, Attachment and your Baby’s Brain” in: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep: Another Perspective (2016)
This article provides support and suggestions for gentle approaches to family sleep, updated to 2016.
Ten Tips for Safe Sleeping (Updated to 2026)
Whether your baby sleeps in a cot, bassinet, crib, “side car”, or bed-shares next to you, there are some general principles that will make your baby’s sleep as safe as possible. Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering 2009
Mothering, Mindfulness and a Baby’s Bottom: An Introduction to Elimination Communication (2005*)
Do you know that most babies around the world don’t wear nappies/diapers? Have you ever considered that even very small babies may be able to communicate their elimination needs? This article will tell you the why and how of this very logical and enjoyable practice.
Maia’s Birth: A Family Celebration (2005*, 2009)
For copyright reasons, this article is no longer available online but can be read in the 2009 Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering and the 2005 First Edition ebook.
Lotus Birth: A Ritual for our Times (2005*)
For copyright reasons, this article is no longer available online but can be read in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering 2005 ebook.
*Asterixed articles are selected from the first edition of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, published in Australia in 2005 and available as an ebook here. See also the 2009 edition of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering.
