This year, we celebrate Birth Psychology Month with a theme originally coined by Dr. Thomas Verny, one of the pioneers of prenatal and perinatal psychology: “The Innate Wisdom of Birth: How Womb Ecology Becomes World Ecology.”
The womb is our first home, shaping who we are before we even take our first breath. It’s where our foundation for health, connection, and resilience begins. Research shows that the experiences we have in the womb—whether nurturing and peaceful or stressful and disruptive—shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. In essence, the health of the womb mirrors the health of the world.
This year’s theme explores the powerful connection between womb ecology and world ecology. Just as a healthy womb environment nurtures a thriving baby, a healthy planet supports thriving communities. By honoring the innate wisdom of birth and the womb as the starting point of life, we gain deeper insights into how caring for mothers, babies, and families is directly tied to caring for our planet.
Join us this month as we dive into the profound ways birth shapes not just individuals but also societies and ecosystems. Together, we’ll explore how supporting safe, nurturing birth experiences contributes to healthier generations and a more harmonious world.
Inspiring Voices, Transformative Impact Join us each Monday in March for a powerful series featuring dynamic keynote speakers who will share how Birth Psychology has created lasting ripples in their communities.
Discover the profound ways this work is shaping families, professionals, and the world at large. Don’t miss these insightful conversations!
March 3, 2025 | 12:00 PM Eastern Ibu Robin Lim, Midwife
Robin Lim is a Filipina-American grandmother, midwife, and founder of Bumi Sehat Foundation, which maintains six clinics in Indonesia and Philippines. She is an accomplished author, teacher, keynote speaker, 2011 CNN “Hero of the Year,” and Ashoka Fellow (a prestigious award for the world’s leading social change entrepreneurs).
March 10, 2025 | 12:00 PM Eastern Dr. Bonnie Goff, Developmental Psychologist
Dr. Bonnie Goff is a psychologist, researcher, and educator specializing in the neurobiological effects of early-life adversity. She earned her PhD in Psychology from UCLA in 2016 and has been a full-time lecturer at UCLA since 2017. A dedicated and award-winning educator, she received the UCLA Psychology Department’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023. Beyond the classroom, she shares developmental psychology research with a broad audience, engaging over 125K followers on TikTok and collaborating with organizations like Understood.Org and U.S. News & World Report to make science accessible and impactful.
March 17, 2025 | 12:00 PM Eastern Carson Meyer, Doula
Carson Meyer is a doula and certified nutrition consultant who has supported hundreds of women on their path to parenthood. She hosts circles for families across the country to help them access community and information on healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum practices. She also leads mentorship opportunities for new and aspiring doulas. Her work has been featured in Elle, Vogue, GOOP, and Los Angeles Times. Carson is the founder of C & The Moon, a clean skin care line founded on the belief that the way we care for ourselves is intrinsically linked to the way we care for the planet. She graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2016 and lives in western North Carolina with her husband, Johnathan, their daughter, Lou, and Bernedoodle, Paulie.
Charlotte Brielle is the Founder & Executive Director of Wombs of the World, a global initiative dedicated to uplifting birthworkers, preserving traditional midwifery, and improving maternal health outcomes. With a background as a full-spectrum doula and perinatal social worker, Charlotte has worked across cultures and continents, weaving together advocacy, education, and hands-on birth support to create transformative experiences for both birthworkers and the families they serve.
Join us live on social media every Wednesday in March as we connect with inspiring change-makers who are bringing Birth Psychology to life in their communities.
Tune in for engaging conversations, fresh insights, and meaningful stories that highlight the power of this work in shaping a better world. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the movement!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop!
Honoring Midwives Transforming Birth Join us each Friday in March as we shine a light on exceptional midwives who are integrating Birth Psychology principles into their communities. These visionary practitioners are redefining care by honoring the profound connection between baby, mother, and the birth experience. Don’t miss these inspiring stories of wisdom, intuition, and transformative impact!
Beth Barbeau Beth Barbeau, CPM, LM is a midwife, natural family health expert, and educator with over 40 years of experience in holistic pregnancy, birth, postpartum and family care. She is the founder of Indigo Forest: Healthy Births, Healthy Lives – empowering mothers with holistic health approaches for their pregnancies and beyond through online courses and more.
Maryn Green is a devoted mother to 10 magical children and a Lightworker, dedicated to supporting the emergence of a new consciousness on Earth. She is the host of the well-known podcast Taking Back Birth, which has been running for over 11 years, and co-hosts Raising 10 Kids with her husband. Maryn’s passion lies in helping women connect deeply with their own divine wisdom, and for over 15 years, she has specialized in guiding women through the journeys of conception, pregnancy, birth, and mothering as a radical midwife.
With over 30 years of experience, Lisa Marie Oxenham honors birth as a transformative journey, trusting in the wisdom of babies and the unseen. She views pregnancy as The Great Revealer, a time of clarity, growth, and healing, especially for those overcoming past trauma. Alongside her husband, she provides compassionate, intuitive care, guiding families through both birth and the deep preparation it invites.
Blyss Young, LM, CPM, is a licensed midwife, co-founder of The Sanctuary Birth & Family Wellness Center, and founder of the Bridge Midwives Project, dedicated to holistic and traditional midwifery. With over two decades of experience, she provides home birth services, childbirth education, and natural birth consulting in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Passionate about honoring the mother-baby connection, she guides families through transformative birth experiences while sharing insights on autonomy and midwifery as co-host of the Birthing Instincts podcast.
Join us as we celebrate, reflect, and look ahead in the Birth Psychology Month Closing Ceremony. Together, we’ll honor the wisdom shared, the connections made, and the impact of conscious birth and womb ecology. This gathering marks both an ending and a beginning—carrying forward the insights, inspiration, and commitment to transforming the way we welcome new life into the world.
Discover APPPAH’s Legacy: A Journey Through Birth Psychology
Explore the rich history of APPPAH and its pioneering role in Birth Psychology. During Birth Psychology Month, we’re releasing exclusive free downloads, offering a glimpse into the research, insights, and vision that have shaped this field. Dive into the wisdom that has guided generations and continues to transform the way we understand birth, babies, and consciousness.
Thomas R. Verny, MD APPPAH Founder
Dr. Verny shares his lived experience with prenatal and perinatal psychology, the birth of APPPAH, and the importance of understanding the impact of this work.
Wendy Anne McCarty shares her lived experience in prenatal and perinatal psychology, her contributions to APPPAH, and the profound importance of integrating this knowledge to support babies, families, and the future of humanity.
Join us for this powerful collection of research, wisdom, and practical tools that honor the profound impact of our earliest experiences.
🔹 8 Expert-Led 90-Minute Presentations – Featuring leading voices in the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology 🔹 Kickoff & Closing Presentations – Setting the stage and wrapping up with key insights 🔹 Curated APPPAH Live Video Bundles – Handpicked from the archives to complement each session 🔹 Insights from a Diverse Range of Experts – Neuroscientists, psychologists, midwives, craniosacral therapists, birth educators, doulas, and bodyworker 🔹 Swag Bag with freebies and discounts from our speakers and APPPAH’s community!
Learn more about Birth Psychology through APPPAH’s Educational Programs
APPPAH’s Signature Prenatal and Perinatal Educator (PPNE) Certificate Program
Revolutionize current birth models with our paradigm-shifting course, offering a transformative journey towards becoming a Prenatal and Perinatal Educator (PPNE).
🔹Sponsor, Volunteer, or Present at the Next Birth Psychology Summit 🔹Volunteering for the Birth Psychology Summit is a unique opportunity to dive into the world of prenatal and perinatal health. 🔹As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside dedicated professionals, contribute to impactful initiatives, and gain firsthand experience in this vital field.
Whether you’re passionate about birth psychology, eager to support community health efforts, or keen on understanding the intricacies of prenatal development, your contributions will make a significant impact. Volunteers are essential in organizing panels, facilitating events, and engaging with attendees. Join us to make a difference, expand your knowledge, and be part of shaping the future of birth psychology.
Together, we can nurture new beginnings. Get In Touch!
Beyond Birth Psychology Month: Join Us at these Upcoming Events
Join APPPAH’s President, Dr. Raylene Phillips, MD, MA, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC on March 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM Eastern as she speaks on the Impacts of Immediate Postpartum Care on the Psyche of Mother and Child.
APPPAH Affiliate Partner, Victoria Rose has launched the second year of Luminescence, a groundbreaking program supporting fertility and preconception health. She’s brought together world-class experts to help individuals and couples prepare—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—for conception.
💫 Why join? ✨ Optimize your fertility & well-being ✨ Only offered again in Spring 2026 ✨ A transformative journey for future generations
