Ep 94 Elise Erickson on how oxytocin shapes our birth experience and trying to predict birth

Ep 94 (http://ibit.ly/Re5V) Ep 94 Elise Erickson on how oxytocin shapes our birth experience and trying to predict birth

@PhDMidwives #research #midwifery  @uarizona #epigenticaging #hormones #pph

research link -t.ly/ea0x1

MuMH lab -https://www.mumhlab.com/

From witnessing her first birth as an undergraduate to pioneering research on the biology of childbirth, Elise Erickson takes us on a compelling journey through her evolution from midwife to maternal health researcher.

Elise, associate professor at the University of Arizona and certified nurse midwife of nearly 20 years, shares the moment that changed everything—a women's health course that aligned her interests in biology, healthcare, and feminist theory. Her subsequent path through midwifery education revealed the power of community-based care, particularly in group prenatal settings where women support each other through pregnancy and beyond.

What truly stands out is Elise's ground breaking research at her MUM Lab (Mechanisms Underpinning Maternal Health). She's challenging conventional wisdom about maternal age, investigating biological aging markers that may better predict pregnancy outcomes than simply counting birthdays. Perhaps most exciting is her innovative work using smart rings to track body temperature patterns that could predict labour onset—potentially transforming how we approach inductions and birth timing.

The conversation delves into the complex relationship between synthetic oxytocin (commonly used in labour) and postpartum outcomes. Through meticulous research, Elise explores how this medication might affect everything from postpartum haemorrhage risk to breastfeeding success by altering oxytocin receptor function. Her work exemplifies the vital connection between clinical observation and scientific inquiry.

Looking forward, Elise envisions truly personalized maternal care that integrates biological markers, personal preferences, and social contexts—moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches while maintaining safety standards. Her story reminds us how curiosity and compassion can drive scientific discovery that transforms lives.

Want to learn more about the cutting-edge research happening in maternal health? Follow Elise's MUM Lab and join us in reimagining what's possible in pregnancy and birth care.

Chapters

• 0:53 Introduction to Elise Erickson
• 3:43 Pathways to Midwifery in America
• 9:03 Women's Healthcare Access Challenges
• 15:43 Birth Center Care and Social Determinants
• 22:52 From Midwifery to Research
• 28:58 Oxytocin Function and Postpartum Hemorrhage
• 36:49 PhD Journey and Work-Life Balance
• 48:51 The MUM Lab Research Projects
• 54:59 Body Temperature and Labor Prediction
• 1:07:50 Future of Personalized Birth Care