Oxytocin in Childbirth

When planning for the arrival of your little one, it’s important to understand the role of oxytocin in labor. In the article below, we break down how to naturally increase oxytocin for labor to support you through the childbirth process.

Oxytocin is a crucial hormone in the symphony of chemicals created naturally in the body to help the birthing person and baby through childbirth. There are four major hormonal systems active during labor: endorphins, oxytocin, adrenaline and noradrenaline, and prolactin.

What is oxytocin?

Oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” is a hormone and neuropeptide that causes both physiological and behavioral effects when produced in the body. It is produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and is released into the bloodstream via the pituitary gland.

Our bodies produce oxytocin when we are attracted to a mate, during lovemaking (it assists with arousal, fosters bonding and may facilitate sperm and egg transport), following positive social interactions (it can even potentially improve wound healing following such positive interactions, say experts), and with other positive experiences. It is thought to enhance our capacity to love ourselves and others.

Oxytocin is produced in pregnancy, levels increase significantly during active labor and childbirth, and both mom and baby produce oxytocin after birth and as long as the baby breastfeeds.

Oxytocin evokes feelings of contentment, trust, empathy, calmness, and security and reduces anxiety and fear. Under certain circumstances, oxytocin can hinder the release of cortisol or stress hormones.

What are the functions and roles of oxytocin in childbirth?

Oxytocin plays a major role in the following:

• Uterine contractions that help facilitate cervical dilation in labor

• Facilitating the milk let-down reflex

• Fostering the mother-baby bond

• Encouraging maternal behavior in the first hour after birth

• Released during breastfeeding, oxytocin causes mild uterine contractions after birth to expel the placenta and close off blood vessels to prevent bleeding

• Assisting the uterus in clotting the placental attachment point postpartum

How to Increase Oxytocin In Pregnancy

The days leading up to childbirth can create a wide range of emotions, such as joy or overwhelm. Prioritizing your physical and mental well-being is one of the best ways you can prepare your body for when your little one arrives.

Here are a few tips on how to increase oxytocin in pregnancy:

• Get enough rest

• Take walks in nature

• Eat nutritious foods

• Do activities that are peaceful, such as yoga, art, and journaling

What Helps to Produce Oxytocin Naturally During Labor?

Unhindered production of oxytocin is important in labor because oxytocin is responsible in large part for uterine contractions. Your body innately knows how to produce oxytocin to induce labor and what it needs to keep going strong.

Because the production of oxytocin is so naturally connected to our emotions, it is paramount that a laboring mama feel calm, secure, and uninhibited in her environment and that she trusts those around her. A dim room without too much excitement or distraction is an environment conducive to the unhindered production of oxytocin.

Wondering how to naturally increase oxytocin for labor? Below are a few natural ways to stimulate natural oxytocin to induce labor for a more comfortable birth:

• Caring, non-medical physical touch

• Relaxation

• Warm baths

• Nipple stimulation (this can help get labor started in some cases or to increase the strength and frequency of contractions)

• Laughter and humor

• Deep breathing exercises and finding comfortable positions

• Kissing (Ina May, a famous midwife, touts “smooching” as a great way to keep labor going)

• Gentle exercise, dancing and rhythmic movement

• Feeling grateful and loving (a partner’s words and actions can be so instrumental in helping mama create oxytocin and to help her labor along)

• The repetitive use of mantras, prayer or sounds

• Meditation, positive visualization and hypnosis

What Can Diminish Oxytocin Levels in Labor?

Emotional connection and hormones have a direct relationship with one another. Any experience of fear, anxiety, stress, tension, discomfort, or distrust can negatively affect oxytocin production during labor.

A feeling of being watched can also hinder oxytocin release. The use of synthetic oxytocin (pitocin)—which also stimulates contractions and is used to induce labor—can also slow the body’s own production of oxytocin.

Oxytocin in Breastfeeding

Oxytocin, also called the cuddle hormone, is released by both mother and baby during breastfeeding. It can cause mild sleepiness, gentle euphoria, a higher pain threshold, and increased love for one another. It also helps build the attraction and strengthen the bond between mama and baby.

As you can see, oxytocin is an amazing gift and tool our bodies make to help us through childbirth and postpartum.

heLP IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

At the Twin Cities Birth Center, we’re here to provide support throughout your birthing journey. Contact us with any questions and find out how we can help every step of the way. For more information on how to help you prepare for the birth of your little one, visit our library of helpful articles.