THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this skills workshop, participants will be able to: 1. Understand how early perinatal experiences are stored as implicit memory in the body and influence our lives, short and long-term 2. Recognize the impact of their own birth story and patterns in their midwifery practice 3. Apply principles of Compassionate Inquiry to support clients in exploring and transforming early imprints 4. Facilitate emotional safety in the birth space through attuned presence and compassionate communication

THE PROCESS/ACTIVITIES:
This 90-minute interactive session begins with a brief overview of Compassionate Inquiry, a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté and Sat Dharam Kaur, and its application to perinatal care. Laura Latina will introduce key concepts such as implicit memory, nervous system regulation, and the embodied impact of early relational and birthing experiences. This work is vital for midwives: our own birth stories, unresolved trauma, and early experiences shape how we show up in the birth space—impacting how we hold space, regulate stress, and connect with birthing people. Through embodied self-inquiry, midwives can deepen emotional presence and become more attuned, compassionate caregivers. Participants will engage in experiential exercises to explore their own perinatal narratives, followed by a somatic “rebirthing” process designed to gently access and integrate early memory held in the body. The session concludes with practical tools midwives can apply in clinical practice to support clients in processing unresolved experiences that may affect pregnancy, labor, and parenting.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Participants will engage in somatic practices, a rebirthing sequence, and regulation techniques to ensure safety and integration. Additional reading Maté G. The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. Avery; 2022. Emerson W. The vulnerable prenate. J Prenat Perinat Psychol Health. 1996;10(3):121-128. Verny TR, Weintraub P. Tomorrow’s Baby: The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception Through Infancy. Simon & Schuster; 2002. Mead V. Adverse babyhood experience. Accessed May 31, 2026. https://chronicillnesstraumastudies.com/abes-introduction/ Maté, G. (2022). The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture Emerson, W. (1996). The Vulnerable Prenate. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology and Health, 10(3), 121–128 Verny, T. R., & Weintraub, P. (2002). Tomorrow's Baby: The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception through Infancy Mead V, Adverse Babyhood Experience: https://chronicillnesstraumastudies.com/abes-introduction/