I love the complexity and yet the simplicity of nature!
During labour a delicate and complex equilibrium of hormonal secretions is maintained which create the rhythm of labour. The ideal environment for a woman to labour and birth is exactly that of making love. The primal brain regulates these hormonal secretions. The primal brain is what we have in common with all other mammals. This complex orchestration of hormonal processes can be disturbed by the slightest external disturbance, such as bright lights, unfamiliar people, or conversation which stimulate the neo cortex or “new brain”. Privacy, safety and not being observed are the essential factors required for a woman to relax and gradually open.
Like other mammals birth is instinctive and a quiet, undisturbed, cozy, intimate and dark environment is needed. This helps our primal brain to override our “new brain” or neo cortex so along with the sense of privacy, support and safety these qualities give the physiological process of birth all the help it needs.
Some of the main hormones involved are:
Prostaglandins- softens and ripens the cervix, stimulates the uterine contractions, precursor to important aspects of the immune system
Oxytocin– The hormone of love. It is connected to making love, orgasm, birth and breastfeeding, also in social situations where one “forgets oneself” in enjoyment of an event or company. Is made in the hypothalamus in the mother and the baby and released in pulses from the pituitary gland.
Stimulates the uterine contractions opening and thinning the cervix. It relaxes the mother and the baby and is a key component in the mother baby bonding and developing maternal instincts and qualities such as wanting to be with her baby to feed and protect it, intuitively understand the babies needs and increases tolerance and patience and desire to put the babies needs first.
Beta Endorphins- natural relaxants and tranquilizers giving a sense of well-being. They play an important role in all aspects of sexual behaviour including love making, birth and breastfeeding. Very high in deep states of meditation, Produce a trance like state, letting go of normal thinking mind, concentration turning inwards increases throughout labour reaching its peak at birth. Also released when singing and dancing. They induce feelings of mutual dependency for the mother and the baby.
Relaxins- relax muscles and ligaments, helping body to open
Prolactin- “Mothering“ or “nesting” hormone. Major hormone of milk synthesis and breastfeeding and the behavioral adaptations of the maternal behavior, like putting her babies needs first. Prolactin levels after birth are directly related to the suckling intensity, duration and frequency. There are more than 300 known bodily effects of prolactin including reduction of stress response, alteration of sleep-wake cycle and stimulation of oxytocin secretion and opioid activity. It has a crucial influence on the development and function of the immune system.
Quiet, undisturbed, cozy, dark environment is needed.
Reduce stimulus to the neo-cortex such as speaking, bright lights, strangers and feelings of being watched.
This allows the primal brain to take over and the birth hormones to flow.
Catecholamines
If anxious, frightened, cold, body produces stress hormone such as adrenalin- the “flight or fight” hormone. Muscles tighten, blood pressure increases, reduces power of uterine contractions. The 300-400% increase of blood flow is taken away from the uterus and the baby and oxytocin is inhibited. Labour can slow or stop until a sense of safety is restored.
High levels are actually secreted at the end of labour to create the foetal ejection reflex so the uterus can expel the baby; this causes the mother and baby to be very alert, awake and energised for birth and bonding. It stimulates the babies systems for adjustment outside the womb. The baby is then calmed after birth by the mother’s skin-to-skin contact, warmth and reassurance.
It is important for Mother and baby to be warm and safe after birth to drop the levels of adrenaline in the blood and allow the levels of oxytocin to increase to expel the placenta naturally and with minimum risk.
Kylie Hennessy
copyright, 2006
Resources: “Primal Health”, Michel Odent, 2002
“Preparing for Birth with Yoga”, Janet Balaskas, 2000
“Undisturbed Birth: Nature’s Blueprint for Ease and Ecstasy”, Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health, Vol 17 No 4 pp 261-288 Summer 2003, Sarah J Buckley
Tags: Birth Labour Prenatal Yoga Hormones
