Alright, buckle up for the oxytocin rollercoaster – the ultimate hormone sidekick in the wild ride of labor and birth! Haven’t you heard what got the baby in will get the baby out?

A freshly born baby sits on his mothers chest

Firstly...


Oxytocin stimulates the muscles of the uterus, promoting contractions. These contractions are essential for the dilation of the cervix and the eventual birth of the baby. Additionally, oxytocin helps regulate the intensity and frequency of contractions, contributing to a smooth and coordinated birth.

A mother kissing her newborn baby

Secondly...


Moreover, oxytocin is known to enhance the emotional bond between the mother and baby. It promotes feelings of love, trust, and connection, fostering a positive emotional state during and after childbirth. This emotional aspect of oxytocin release is thought to contribute to maternal-infant bonding and the initiation of breastfeeding.

How to boost oxytocin then?!


There are many ways you can boost oxytocin while you are in labour and giving birth. Oxt is created by the baby when the baby places pressure on the cervix, which sends signals to the mothers brain to increase the surges. So it is vital that the mother feels safe and secure when in labour and giving birth. Consider where you are giving birth, whether it is at home or the hospital and think what makes you feel safest? Maybe if heading into hospital really planning to support the 5 senses of birth: sight, taste, smell, touch and hearing with things that you love is going to support the production of oxytocin.

A woman in a birth pool

Sight


  • Consider an eye mask on the way to hospital and when in the assessment rooms to block out bright lights
  • Low lighting only, or better yet- NO LIGHTS AT ALL
  • Take in battery powered candles, or fairy lights
  • Pictures of your favourite things like pets and other children to make a birth altar.
A new baby covered in vernix is placed on his mothers chest

Sound


  • Have a playlist of your favourite music/souds and for different stages of labour
  • Ask the midwife to switch off the machines so you can't hear the beeping if you have decided to be monitored.
  • While relaxing scan your body for points of tension paying attention to the jaw and hands.

Smell


  • Have some essential oils on a cloth and tuck it into your shirt or hand
  • Diffusing scents allows your nose to get use to the smell and can take away their effectiveness
  • Add a few drops of oils to a cool cloth for your forehead
  • Take something from home that smells like home, a pillow or a blanket or even your other kids clothes!
A midwife strokes the back of a woman in labour

Touch


  • Massage your back or hands, or even your face to help relax
  • Light touch massage on your back and legs
  • Acupressure points with essential oils
  • Practice these during your pregnancy to figure out what you like and don't like.

Taste


  • Suck on chocolate or your favourite foods while in labour
  • You may not feel like eating full meals while in labour but having your favourite snacks is a great way to increase your love feelings
  • Water or drink some coconut water during labour to keep you hydrated
A mother labours in the birth pool while her partner sits beside her

References

https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)00242-9/fulltext#:~:text=Oxytocin%20is%20released%20in%20pulses,Ferguson%20reflex%E2%80%94which%20releases%20oxytocin.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.742236/full

https://sarahbuckley.com/pain-in-labour-your-hormones-are-your-helpers-2/