Safe Body, Safe Birth: A Polyvagal Perspective on Nervous System Regulation

At the conference held with Clinical Psychologist Filiz Tüfek, the role of nervous system regulation and secure attachment in the birth process was discussed.

The conference titled “Safe Body Safe Birth,” organized by the First Touch to a Miracle Club at Üsküdar University, stood out for its approach centered on mind–body unity. The event emphasized that the birth process should be viewed not only physiologically but also from a psychological and neurobiological perspective.

In her presentation, the conference speaker Clinical Psychologist Filiz Tüfek discussed the effects of nervous system regulation on human relationships within the framework of Polyvagal Theory. In particular, how stress is transmitted between individuals and how this transmission shapes feelings of safety and attachment processes were explained on a scientific basis. Tüfek stated that the nervous system’s perception of safety plays a decisive role both in adult relationships and in the birth process.

As part of the event, the importance of the midwife–pregnant woman relationship and skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby for nervous system regulation was discussed in detail. How this contact supports both the birth experience and postnatal attachment was illustrated through the biological and emotional effects of safe contact. Participants heard explanations highlighting that this process is critical not only for mothers but also for the way babies relate to others throughout their lives.

The topics covered throughout the conference allowed participants to rethink them in the context of daily life, professional practice and human relationships. In particular, stress management, emotional regulation and secure attachment stood out as areas requiring further work. The information shared was presented with an approach that combined theory and practice.

This event organized by the First Touch to a Miracle Club raised awareness among participants by showing that a sense of a safe body forms the foundation of safe relationships. The conference offered powerful content shedding light on the importance of nervous system regulation at every stage of human life, starting from birth.