Wait… Polyvagal Theory? Isn’t That Woo Woo?

I know! Polyvagal theory might sound a little “woo woo” at first glance. It’s become a buzzword in wellness spaces, often tossed around in ways that make it feel vague or even gimmicky. When something gets trendy enough, it risks losing the deeper validity that made it meaningful in the first place.

A Familiar Pattern

I’ve seen this before. Over 25 years ago, when I first began teaching mindfulness-based prenatal yoga, mindfulness was just starting to enter mainstream conversations. Back then, it was a practice for remaining present without judgement, and a grounded, practical approach for working with pain, uncertainty, and emotional intensity.

But as it spread into popular culture, “mindfulness” began appearing on magazine covers and in marketing campaigns for wellness culture — stripped of its roots in sustained practice and self-inquiry. It became just another thing to buy into.

We see this happening now with words like nervous system regulation and embodiment. These concepts have deep, practical roots in physiology and trauma-informed care — yet they’ve become catchphrases, often used without context or clarity. It’s easy to say “regulate your nervous system” or “embody your practice,” but these phrases risk becoming empty if we don’t understand what they really mean.

What Do These Words Really Mean?

Nervous system regulation refers to our ability to come back into a balanced state after experiencing stress or intense activation. It’s not about staying calm all the time; it’s about recovering — settling back into a state of relative safety and stability, whether through our own internal resources (self-regulation) or with the support of others (co-regulation). In birth, this matters because feeling overwhelmed or unsafe can disrupt labor or increase distress, while support and connection with trusted others can help restore a sense of steadiness.

Embodiment means the ability to fully inhabit and sense our body in the present moment — to feel what is happening internally, rather than only thinking about or analyzing the experience from the outside. In the context of birth, embodiment helps parents stay connected to their body’s signals, work with each contraction, recognize the time in between them,  and remain present with the unfolding process.

The Nervous System Connection

Polyvagal theory, originally developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, describes how our nervous system responds to cues of safety and danger. It explains our shifts between states of connection, mobilization (fight or flight), and shutdown (dissociate or collapse). These responses aren’t conscious choices; they’re automatic, deeply wired survival mechanisms.

In childbirth, these shifts matter immensely. A sense of safety and connection supports the hormonal processes that help labor progress and allow parents to stay present with intensity. When someone feels threatened or unsafe (even subtly), the nervous system may shift into protective states, potentially stalling labor or increasing suffering.

Why It Matters in Postpartum

In the postpartum period, understanding our nervous system helps us see why connection and support are so critical. New parents often need co-regulation — the presence of someone else who can help them return to a sense of balance. It isn’t just about “staying calm” or “thinking positive”; it’s about moving through the waves of adjustment with relational support and compassion.  Feeling like you and your partner are on the same team is at the root of being able to co-regulate and come back to balance for each other.

Returning to What Matters

At Nona, I integrate polyvagal theory not as a trend, but as a practical, neuroscience-informed way to support birth and postpartum adjustment. Just as I’ve seen mindfulness reclaim its depth and power when taught with integrity, I believe polyvagal theory (and true nervous system regulation and embodiment) offer profound, compassionate frameworks for supporting birthing families.

Want to learn about what nervous system regulation and embodiment actually mean in relation to childbirth?  Get in touch or explore the classes and trainings I offer.