Hormones of Labor

There are three major hormones that a woman's body releases during labor:

* Oxytocin
* Beta-Endorphins
* Catecholamines

Oxytocin - also referred to as the love hormone makes you feel relaxed and loving, it also helps with bonding and attachment to your newborn. Oxytocin in labor causes the uterus to contract, decreases heart rate and blood pressure and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for slowing down the functions of the body).

Before labor begins oxytocin increases by 80 times and during labor it is 200 times, both mother and baby release this hormone. Oxytocin is elevated for 60 minutes after the birth, which causes vasodilation of the chest wall of the mother to warm the newborn (skin-to-skin contact).

When the newborn licks and sucks on the nipple this releases more oxytocin, which contracts the uterus. The blood vessels of the uterus then constrict and the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus. The baby is also born with increased levels of oxytocin.

Beta Endorphins - are the body's natural opiates or pain relievers with properties similar to drugs like morphine and heroin. Beta-endorphin levels increase with stress and duress and help us to transcend pain and experience altered states of consciousness. Like oxytocin they help us to feel pleasure and connectedness. They are released during sexual activity, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

Catecholamines (CA)- are the fight or flight hormones called adrenalin and noradrenalin. They are released when we experience fear and other stressors like cold and hunger. They are our built in survival mechanism which shifts blood to the extremities to give us the strength or energy to fight or flee from danger. High levels of catecholamines decrease levels of oxytocin thereby slowing or arresting labor.

There is a moderate level of CA released during labor that is necessary for the release of Beta-Endorphins. The body needs to first feel stressed, as during a contraction, then during the time after the contraction, the body needs quiet and rest. During this quiet time is when Beta-Endorphins are released. If the laboring woman does not rest, even if it is only for 30 seconds, the body will not release the Beta-Endorphins

Towards the end of a non-augmented labor CA levels increase along with oxytocin, which cause strong uterine contractions. This is called the fetal ejection reflex and results in the birth of the baby. At the time right before birth the mother gets a surge of energy. She usually wants to be upright. She may experience fear, anger or excitement. She may have a dry mouth and shallow breathing.

The noradrenalin at the end of labor provides important safety measures for the baby. It shifts blood to the brain and heart, increases surfactant which helps the baby to breathe, and makes the mother and baby more alert to enhance bonding.

Nature, as always, has figured it out. She provides us with everything we need to grow and birth our babies. For all of this to work a mother needs to feel safe and have a sense of privacy. It is our duty as human beings to protect this fiercely!

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