17 Fantastic Facts About Oxytocin in Birth

Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” because it’s associated with social bonding, love, and trust. It’s produced by the hypothalamus in your brain and is released into your body by the pituitary gland.

Oxytocin is produced in large quantities during birth where it helps to stimulate and strengthen contractions. These contractions help to push your baby down the birth canal and into the world. Although in labour your body naturally produces increasing amounts of oxytocin, there are things that you can go to help promote the production of the hormone in your body.

17 Facts About Oxytocin in Birth

1. Oxytocin stimulates the muscles of your uterus to contract, and these contractions help to dilate your cervix and push your baby through the birth canal.
2. Oxytocin can’t coexist in your body with stress hormones; we know that if we can reduce the stress, anxiety and fear you might be feeling, we can reduce stress hormones and promote the production of oxytocin. This also breaks the fear-tension-pain cycle.
3. Once oxytocin levels start to rise in your body, a positive feedback loop is created. The cervix is pulled up and over your baby’s head which drops your baby down, triggering more oxytocin receptors to release oxytocin, resulting in stronger contractions which pull the cervix up and over baby’s head…
4. Oxytocin helps to reduce your pain during labour by stimulating the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving hormones.
5. When oxytocin and endorphins mix, you enter a hazy dazy birth bubble where you zone out of the world. Peace man.
6. An oxytocin and endorphin fuelled labour can reduce your need for pain medication during labour (although, of course, it’s still available for you if you want it…)
7. …however, note that epidurals can impact the release of your own oxytocin, which may impact the strength of your contractions.
8. A good amount of oxytocin in the system makes labour more efficient and effective, ie shorter!
9. An increase in oxytocin levels during birth can lead to you feeling like you had a more positive birth experience.
10. You’ll have the most oxytocin in your body in your lifetime just after your baby’s born but before the placenta arrives.
11. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby can help to enhance oxytocin production and promote bonding. This goes for partners too!
12. Oxytocin is responsible for the feelings of love and bonding that are often experienced between mothers and their babies during the postpartum period.
13. Oxytocin helps to stimulate the release of milk in the breasts by contracting the muscles surrounding your milk ducts.
14. After birth, oxytocin helps your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size and shape by contracting and reducing its volume.
15. Oxytocin has been shown to have a calming effect on babies, reducing stress and promoting a peaceful and restful environment. Wearing your baby in a sling and having skin-to-skin contact can help with this.
16. Oxytocin has also been linked to improved sleep patterns in both parents and babies, promoting overall health and wellbeing.
17. Oxytocin production in your baby helps to organize neural circuits in the brain, as well as promoting a sense of attachment, security and confidence in them.

Oxytocin is an important hormone that plays a crucial role in the birthing process and in promoting the health and well-being of both the birthing person and baby. Its many benefits, including shortening labour, promoting bonding, increasing pain tolerance, and reducing stress, make it a vital hormone. By enhancing oxytocin production during labour, you can promote a positive and empowering birth experience, and create a strong foundation for the future.

To read more about oxytocin during the birth process, head over to Sara Wickham’s site where she looks at the evidence.