The Love Hormone
Hormones. They drive us! They get a bad wrap, especially during adolescence when their surge causes all sorts of problems.
The wonderful thing about hormones is that they get many jobs done - including the job of delivering a baby!
How does this happen?
It all starts with wonderful surges - surges of a hormone compound that is secreted from the cerebellum in your brain to the uterus during labor. The hormone oxytocin.
We call oxytocin the love hormone, because it’s strongest when a person feels safe, secure and experiences physical comfort. Some of the instances we as beings release oxytocin daily include physical touch and massage, sexual arousal and orgasm, a long hug and bodily contact with someone you love.
After having a baby, oxytocin is important for helping your uterus to heal and shrink to minimize postpartum bleeding. Holding a soft, beautiful baby on your chest during the first hour postpartum releases powerful levels of oxytocin. Breastfeeding releases this as well!
What does oxytocin do during the labor process?
When it’s present in large quantities, it creates strong uterine contractions. In different stages of the labor process, these contractions at their strongest make efficient work of helping a baby to engage in the pelvis, and move along the labor process!
Love - safety, security, the feeling of well being - is truly chemical!
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