In this episode of Transformed by Birth, I'm joined by somatic trauma consultant, author, and maternal health advocate Parijat Deshpande for a deeply grounding conversation about high-risk pregnancy, preterm birth, and the NICU experience.
Together, we explore what the term "high-risk" actually means, how it is often misunderstood, and why hearing that label can be so destabilizing to the nervous system. Parijat brings clarity to the psychology and physiology of stress in pregnancy, helping us understand how fear, uncertainty, and incomplete stress responses affect the body and the birth experience.
This episode centers the lived experience of parents. We talk about trauma, grief, self-blame, and the often unseen emotional toll of high-risk pregnancy and NICU stays. We also explore practical, embodied tools for working with stress, supporting the nervous system, and reclaiming agency in moments when parents feel powerless.
