How Birth Psychology and APPPAH Have Changed My Approach to Birthwork

Before I began working with APPPAH (Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health), I always had an intuitive sense that babies were deeply affected by the birth experience. I felt, in my heart, that birth wasn't just a physical event for the mother but also a profound, emotional journey for the baby. I knew instinctively that babies were conscious beings, fully capable of feeling and experiencing what was happening during their birth, even if they couldn’t express it in the way adults do.

Working with APPPAH has completely deepened and validated that intuition. Birth psychology has shown me the profound impact of prenatal and birth experiences on a child’s emotional and psychological development. Through APPPAH, I’ve come to understand that the experiences babies have in the womb and during birth can shape how they bond, attach, and navigate the world throughout their lives.

Prenatal bonding has now become one of the central focuses of my work. I’ve learned how vital it is for parents to connect with their baby while still in the womb. Babies are not passive passengers—they are aware and responsive to the environment, emotions, and energy around them. Building a bond with the baby before birth can lead to stronger attachment, emotional well-being, and even smoother birth experiences. It’s not just about preparing the parents for birth; it’s about creating a welcoming, loving space for the baby to arrive in.

Birth psychology has transformed how I approach my role as a doula. I now place even more emphasis on emotional support, mindfulness, and creating an environment where both the baby and parents feel safe, connected, and empowered. It’s a holistic approach that honors the baby’s experience and encourages prenatal bonding as an essential part of a healthy, positive birth journey.

Through my work with APPPAH, I’ve come to see birth as not only the beginning of life but the beginning of relationships—between parent and child, between the baby and the world. This knowledge has deepened my passion for birthwork and strengthened my commitment to supporting families on a psychological, emotional, and spiritual level.