5 Key Hormones Of Labour

Remember when you were going for your driver's license? You did all the study for the test. Then you got your learners YAY!, and then you practiced, practiced, practiced mastering your driving skills every chance you got... Enter grey-haired parents at this point. FINALLY the formal driving test day arrives... Enter great excitement! Now depending on how much practice you got in, and how good your driving skills were, you hopefully walked away a driver's license, ready to hit the road. Smooth sailing.

When it comes to having a baby, some couples may attend their local antenatal class, but unfortunately, many adopt the attitude of "We'll just wing it." So my question is, if you put this much time and effort into preparing for your driving test, why would you not put the same amount of effort into preparing to give birth? Because you've already proven that the work put in during the lead up to the event (the driving test) will result in the desired outcome you want (a fully-fledged driver). To me it's a no-brainer.

One of the key things you need to have, is an UNDERSTANDING of the hormones that are going to play key roles in your birthing experience.

Women are hard-wired to birth. It is a natural instinctive process, a NORMAL physiological function of the body. The body and baby know exactly when the time is right to birth, and know exactly what needs to happen.

Let's talk about 5 key hormones of labour:
Oxytocin... The Love Hormone... is a neurotransmitter and one of the happy hormones. It is released when spending time with loved ones, having fun, during orgasm, and it's release has been linked to life satisfaction levels in women.

Oxytocin is believed to help trigger the commencement of labour, and stimulating uterine surges (contractions). Studies have shown that the baby also releases oxytocin which re-enters the mother's bloodstream via the umbilical vessels. Oxytocin builds up during labour, peaking at the birth of baby and creating that loving, euphoric connection between mother and baby. It has also been shown that father's who are present at the birth also release oxytocin, which of course adds to the whole bubble of love.

You can stimulate the flow of oxytocin through the use of acupressure points in the lead up to, and during labour. Conversely, many interventions, for example, epidurals and oxytocin drip, will actually inhibit the natural flow of oxytocin.

Melatonin - known as the sleep hormone. Towards the end of pregnancy, the uterus develops melatonin receptors which makes the uterine muscles sensitive to melatonin. Research shows that melatonin synergises with oxytocin, and enhances the effect of oxytocin to produce stronger and more efficient surges.

This knowledge highlights the importance of maintaining a dim environment for birthing. Our mammalian cousins have been a step ahead for thousands of years, knowing the importance of a dark, quiet, safe place to birth.

It is also one of the reasons many women go into labour during the night. And one of the reasons that labour may slow down or come to a halt on first arriving at the hospital... bright lights which interfere with the flow of melatonin.

Endorphins... another 'happy' hormone or hormone of pleasure. Endorphins have a natural calm effect on the mind and body. You want the endorphins to be flowing freely throughout your labour. This calming effect also flows through to baby. When the mind and body are calm, it allows for the progress of the uterus (particularly the lower segment attached to the cervix) to lift and open in preparation for baby to move down the birth path. Amazingly, endorphins are also your inbuilt natural pain relievers... how cool is that. It is believed they are between 20 - 40 times more powerful than morphine... and a whole lot healthier.

The wonderful thing about endorphins is that when they are freely flowing they are keeping the stress hormones in the back seat... exactly where you want them for the majority of your labour. Endorphins are easily manipulated through some very simple techniques, to be released in surges that will keep you calm and in a deep state of relaxation. Like oxytocin, endorphins also peak at the birth of baby.

Adrenaline and Noradrenaline... These are the excitable or fight-or-flight hormones, and help protect baby from lack of oxygen in the final stages of labour. It is the adrenaline burst that gives you the extra energetic oomph in the bearing-down stage of birthing. It allows for mother and baby to be fully alert for their first meeting. You only want to welcome adrenaline and noradrenaline to the birthing party at the very end.

The problem with your adrenaline flowing too early is that it can kick start the fight/flight response. This is what happens when you are scared. It inhibits the flow of your happy endorphins, and will impact negatively on the progress of labour. The fear-pain-tension cycle kicks in and before you know it, labour becomes increasingly painful and prolonged. You can read more about that HERE

Prolactin... The mothering hormone. This hormone is released during pregnancy and lactation. The levels drop during labour, and at the lowest level when the cervix is fully dilated. In the moments after giving birth, prolactin has a sharp rise, reaching peak levels around two to three hours later. It is thought this surge plays a part in optimising maternal behaviour as well as ensuring successful lactation. There are about three hundred known functions of prolactin (too many to list here), but is worth a mention that it has a crucial influence in the development and function of the immune system.

So as you can see, there is more to birthing than a few surges, huffs and puffs. The point is, that when you have an understanding of HOW your body works, it removes a lot of the guess work and fear. You can have more control instead of 'just winging it'... that rarely works well.

Give yourself the best chance of having a positive, calm and empowered birthing experience. Educate yourself, practice the techniques that will enhance your hormone flow and therefore your labour. This is one of those experiences that you owe to yourself to be fully prepared for and to be able to look back on the day as one of the best days of your life.

If you would like more information on how you can better prepare for your labour and birth feel free to contact me.