Let's Talk About; Oxytocin

Many pregnant women and birthing people will have heard of Oxytocin. Most will be able to identify that it has an important role to play. Some may even be able to explain some of the ways Oxytocin facilitates and supports labour and childbirth. By knowing more about this vital hormone and gaining a better understanding of the role it plays, how it can be encouraged (and also inhibited!) we can start to make decisions which support ourselves and our experience by making the most of this incredible chemical.

So, let’s talk about; Oxytocin.

FIRST UP, WHAT IS OXYTOCIN?

Simply, Oxytocin is a hormone. It’s made in the Hypothalamus in the brain and is released into the bloodstream. However, it also works directly inside the brain as oxytocin containing nerves are present in specific areas affecting behaviours. It’s a hormone which is present in both males and females throughout our lives. There are a number of effects that Oxytocin has regardless of sex but there are also some which are unique to women and people who are birthing.

When it was first identified, Oxytocin was labeled as the ‘mothers hormone’ as it was identified as being responsible for uterine contractions and the milk ejection reflex required for birth and breastfeeding. However, it has since been found to play a critical role in a broad spectrum of behaviours and physiology. It’s understood to be important in a wide range of social interactions, relationships and bonding - not just bonding between mother and baby. Oxytocin has since become more widely known as the ‘love hormone’.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

The answer is, it does A LOT. For all humans, Oxytocin helps to combat stress, reduces pain and anxiety, reduces fear, decreases inflammation, stimulates healing and supports bonding and positive social interactions and behaviours generally. But let’s take a closer look at what Oxytocin does during pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood.

DURING PREGNANCY.

Before we conceive, Oxytocin may already have played a role in our fertility and pregnancy. Oxytocin, the ‘love hormone’ is released during sex and orgasm. That post sex glow, contentment and general sense of wellbeing? Yup - Oxytocin pulsing around your body.

Oxytocin is one of the hormones which continually rises during pregnancy. By the end of pregnancy levels of this hormone are three or four times that of pre pregnancy levels. But why?

Well, some of the effects of Oxytocin during pregnancy include;
- Increasing potential for and desire for social interaction which supports communication, willingness and ability to seek and absorb information and create support networks as we prepare for parenthood.
- Bonding and building trust with caregivers. Research shows that the way we feel about a person who is offering information and support to us influences how well received and retained that information is.
- Promotes bonding and attachment between the mother and her unborn child before birth.
- Promotes bonding and attachment between mother and her partner.
- Oxytocin also plays a significant role in optimising other bodily functions and systems such as metabolism and digestion. These alterations support optimum fetal growth and development.


WHAT ABOUT DURING BIRTH?

Oxytocin certainly makes itself known when it comes to birthing our babies.

In a physiological birth Oxytocin plays a hugely significant role:
- Oxytocin is responsible for uterine contractions. The upward motion of the strong muscles of the uterus which are felt with increasing regularity and intensity as labour progresses.
- The Furgesson reflex - in response to the contraction of the muscles in the uterus the baby’s head is moved downwards closer to and exerts increasing pressure on to the cervix and the top of the vagina. This pressure activates nerve centres which then promote the further release of oxytocin. This positive feedback look which forms part of the ‘dance’ of labour.
- Similarly, it is Oxytocin (along with Prostaglandins) which act upon the cervix to soften and open it as labour progresses.
- Oxytocin acts as a natural pain relief during labour. As the regularity of the oxytocin release ramps up the and resulting contractions intensify so does the effect of Oxytocin’s pain relieving properties - helping maintain a sense of balance for the birthing person.
- There is a large increase in the levels of oxytocin in the period immediately after birth. Oxytocin has an amnesic effect on the mother too. Supporting the mother in forgetting the pain experienced and supporting her memories of childbirth being generally more positive and less frightening.


AND HOW ABOUT EARLY PARENTHOOD?

This incredible hormone has yet more to offer us after birth too.

- Immediately following birth, Oxytocin continues to have the effect of contracting the muscles of the uterus. This is an important part of the birth of the placenta as well as the process of the uterus returning to pre pregnancy size (which takes a number of weeks)
- Oxytocin is a key hormone involved during skin to skin with your baby after birth. The hormone of love and bonding promotes reduction of stress in mum and baby, regulates temperature and breathing as well as providing the building blocks for secure and long lasting attachment between mother and child.
- Oxytocin also plays a pivotal role in breastfeeding. Whilst it’s Prolactin that is responsible for the production of breastmilk it is Oxytocin which works to stimulate the muscles in the breast and causes the milk ejection reflex. The oxytocin which flows in both mother and baby during breastfeeding also supports bonding between mother and baby.


WOW, SOUNDS BRILLIANT. HOW DO I GET MY OXYTOCIN FLOWING?

Oxytocin, whilst powerful, is also sometimes described as being a ‘shy’ hormone. Meaning that the continued release of Oxytocin can easily be interrupted. It can easily slow down or retreat.

Some of the things that Oxytocin loves include:
- Warmth and comfort
- Darkness or dimmed lights
- A sense of safety - emotional as well as physical
- Privacy - being unobserved and undisturbed
- Physical touch from a trusted partner or caregiver

It follows that this shy, environmentally sensitive hormone has a kind of ‘brake’ when the environment is not supportive of its continued and sustained release. Some of the things which can contribute to putting a break on Oxytocin flow include:
- Unfamiliar environments and people
- A feeling of being watched or observed or concern that we may be interrupted
- Bright, harsh lighting
- Noisy environments particularly ones which are unfamiliar
- A feeling of not being physically or emotionally safe

The ‘enemies’ of our shy friend Oxytocin include the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Both of these hormones are closely linked to the stress/fear responses in the mind and body. They also both inhibit the release and function of our friend Oxytocin.

An optimal birth environment is one which maximises the opportunity for Oxytocin to flow so that it can have the maximum effect. Oxytocin flows best with an environment which feels supportive and when we feel, calm, relaxed and we are without fear. I believe that there are ways for us to achieve this in all spaces - whether you are at home or in the operating theatre.


ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

One of the things which can impact the production and flow of Oyxtocin during birth is receiving an epidural. An epidural is a method of pain relief which is administered directly into the lower spine. It has the effect of blocking nerve endings to the lower half of the body and results in significant loss of sensation.

Whist the reduction in sensation is often welcomed by the birthing person it is known that epidurals have other effects for our friend Oxytocin:
- An epidural can result in less oxytocin being produced and circulated during labour. Studies have shown lower levels of oxytocin in mothers who have received an epidural when tested.
- Less Oxyocin can result in fewer and weaker contractions which has the effect of ‘slowing’ labour. This ‘slowing’ can result in the increased need for other interventions.
- Lower Oxytocin can also impact on breastfeeding immediately after birth. Prolactin (the hormone responsible for producing breast milk) has been shown to be lower for mothers who have received an epidural.
- Lower oxytocin also has an impact on the amnesic effect that mothers often experience. Women are less likely to ‘forget’ the pain of childbirth.

Similarly a cesarean birth which involves anaesthetic could be impacted in the same ways as a vaginal birth where the mother has received an epidural.

To be clear, I do not highlight this for the sake of dissuading you from choosing an epidural. As with all choices in birth perhaps what is most important is that we feel informed and empowered. Knowing the risks and benefits of any intervention is a key part of informed decision making.

So, knowing what you now do about our friend Oxytocin, you can consider how you and your care team can support your physiology in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Much love

Becca
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