Oxytocin - The Happy Hormone
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Oxytocin is kind of awesome.
I gotta warn you, I'm about to get kind of nerdy in this blog post. I find this stuff fascinating, and I love getting into the nitty-gritty of it all.
If you're not into that, that's alright. I realize this article won't be everyone's cup of tea. I'll cut right to the chase here: oxytocin (nicknamed the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical”) is vital for smooth labor, breastfeeding and successful bonding with your newborn.
Additionally, pain, stress and anxiety can be reduced by increasing your oxytocin levels.
Care to get into the nerdy details of this? Read on!
Just to get this out of the way right from the start, I'm talking about the hormone produced by the body called oxytocin. Not to be confused with OxyContin, which is a brand name for oxycodone - a very strong and highly addictive painkiller which is very definitely not awesome, in my opinion.
A Few Definitions…
Hormones are certain chemical substances that are created by the body (or are produced artificially and put into the body) that travel to other parts of the body and help control how cells and organs function.
For example, we're all familiar with what an “adrenaline rush” feels like. Your adrenal glands (little triangular organs that sit on top of your kidneys) create adrenaline during moments of stress or strong emotion. This hormone travels all over the body and, as a response to a high-stress situation, prompts a whole bunch of wild reactions including increased heart rate, improved lung function and higher blood sugar (for increased energy).
The endocrine system is the whole network of glands that produce hormones which in turn affect the function of almost every cell, organ and function in the body. It's kind of a big deal.
The pituitary gland is a little, pea-sized organ that sits at the base of your brain and produces a whole slew of hormones. This tiny gland holds some massive responsibilities, controlling functions like growth of the body, reproduction, metabolism, energy levels and a bunch of other important body activities.
Oxytocin is one of the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. It plays a huge role in childbirth, breastfeeding and bonding with your baby. While there are other hormones that play key roles in pregnancy and childbirth, I'm gonna focus on this one because, like I said at the start, it's awesome.
If you're not pregnant or breastfeeding, the benefits of oxytocin are still very significant and worth knowing.
Here's a breakdown of its awesomeness:
You can control it
Your body produces oxytocin in response to things like kisses, cuddles, hugs, physical or intimate touch (including having sex), even seeing a cute baby or snuggling a puppy. I even read something that suggested having a piece of chocolate could boost your oxytocin!
Although emotions have a mental and spiritual component, of course, there is a physical element as well that has to do with the hormones produced by your endocrine system. That “warm, fuzzy feeling” you get when you're happy is, in part, because of the oxytocin your body is making.
I know this seems kind of obvious, but if you're having a rough day or are feeling a bit depressed, try to go do something that triggers an oxytocin release. Get a hug from someone you love, ask your hubby to give you a massage, go to the local pet store and play with a puppy.
The positive feedback loop
This hormone is one of a few that has a positive feedback loop. This means that once you have triggered the production of oxytocin, that release triggers your body to create even more and release it, which continues in a loop, making you feel all sorts of wonderful!
Physical and emotional effects
Oxytocin is one of the happy hormones. I'm sure you've heard of them - serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin. They all have their specific roles in the body, but all of them contribute to having happy feelings.
Oxytocin, specifically, tends to reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart rate, which has a calming effect and has been linked with reduced feelings of stress. This, in turn, can improve the quality of one’s sleep. Pretty impressive so far, right?
Oxytocin and childbirth
During labor, oxytocin is the star of the show.
A calm, relaxed mama typically has an easier time in labor than a stressed, tense mama. This is a known fact. Oxytocin plays a big part in helping the mama relax, physically and emotionally. But that’s not the only function this amazing hormone has during childbirth. It also has the role of getting labor started and keeping it going. More specifically, it stimulates the uterine muscles to contract, getting the baby down the birth canal and out.
As the baby's head pushes against the cervix, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, signaling the muscles to contract. This contraction pushes the baby down, putting more pressure on the cervix, which, in turn, tells the body to release more oxytocin, getting the next contraction going, and so forth, through the whole delivery process.
If you want to get labor going (or keep it moving along) help your body produce this magical hormone.
But wait! There’s yet ANOTHER way that oxytocin helps in childbirth….
According to research, it actually increases your tolerance to pain! Needless to say, that's very handy when it comes to delivering a baby. (I also think it's kind of cute that there may be some scientific backup to the idea that kissing your kid's booboo helps them feel better.)
The moral of the story is this: it is very much in your best interest, as a mama (or as someone helping a mama) to boost oxytocin levels leading up to and during labor and delivery.
As you are putting together your birth plan, consider the factors that will contribute to a stress-free birth.
Who will be on your birth team? If there's someone who stresses you out (thereby increasing the production of cortisol - the stress hormone - and hindering the production of oxytocin) they should not be present while you are in labor.
Should older siblings be present during your birth? That answer will differ from one mama to the next, but the goal should be relaxation and a happy environment.
For a home birth, declutter the space where you'll be laboring and delivering. A clean, pleasant space will contribute to your state of mind. Some people put up fairy lights or other soothing decor, which I think is a great idea if it makes you happy.
Educate your husband (and anybody else who will be present for your birth) on the role oxytocin plays in labor and delivery. Make sure they understand that part of their job as a member of your birth team is to keep calm, give support and do anything necessary to reduce stress while you birth your baby.
Once The Baby is Born…
Oxytocin continues to work its magic even after your little bundle of joy has arrived.
The Happy Hormone stimulates the production of breast milk and helps you and baby bond. Snuggles, nursing (regardless of whether or not your milk has come in yet) and skin-to-skin contact increase your oxytocin production and for that reason, during the first hour or so immediately after your baby is born, that is all that should happen. Enjoy that time and have your birth team on board with protecting this “golden hour”. No unnecessary poking or prodding or questioning or even excessive conversation. Just relax and enjoy the perfect baby you just birthed.
However long you plan to breastfeed, oxytocin continues to do its work. Breastfeeding makes the body produce more oxytocin, calming the mama. A calm mama produces more oxytocin, which helps the body produce more breastmilk. It's a bit of a “chicken or egg” situation, but ultimately, if you keep nursing and simultaneously focus on keeping your environment calm and happy, you'll likely have an improved experience as far as breastfeeding is concerned.
A Word on Pitocin
Okay, so if oxytocin is so flipping magical, can't we just inject it into the body and reap all of the rewards?
If only.
The science people have figured out how to make a synthetic version of oxytocin. You've probably heard of it - pitocin.
It's often used in hospitals to help induce labor or jump-start contractions if the medical folk decide the labor isn't moving along fast enough. It is also sometimes used after delivering a baby to help control postpartum bleeding.
Pitocin may get the job done in terms of moving labor along, but it cannot actually simulate the body's mechanism.
You see, the pituitary gland, in perfect harmony with the rest of the body, sends out oxytocin in spurts, creating strong contractions and then easing off, giving the mama's body time to rest between contractions and maintain strength and stamina throughout the labor.
Pitocin is pushed into the veins steadily, which is why we hear about induced labor often being more intense and painful than natural labor. This can trigger a “cascade of interventions” whereby the mama gets too tired, feels the pain is unbearable and requires an epidural (anesthetic). During labor, a mama gets signals from the body and she will intuitively know how to move to allow the baby to descend smoothly down the birth canal. She'll know when and how hard to push. An epidural will interfere with this natural process and other complications may arise, potentially increasing the risk of needing a c-section or other medical intervention.
Given pitocin, the body's natural production and release of oxytocin may be interrupted. This has the potential of interfering with proper bonding and breastfeeding.
Of course, every mama's body is different, and just because you are given pitocin that is not an absolute condemnation to failure - not by any stretch. I simply think that it's worth looking into all of this data before blindly jumping into a pitocin-induced labor without thoroughly (and informedly) weighing the pros and cons.
In closing
The female body is, in my opinion, quite incredible. I think it's worthwhile to take the time to understand how it works so that you can effectively help it work its magic through pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc.
There's probably a lot more to know about oxytocin, but I hope this article gave you the highlights in an interesting and practical way.