The Hormones of Labour

Do you know about the hormones of labour and how you can help them along for a smoother labour?  Well, Doulas do! Childbirth Educators do.  So let me share some insider tips.  There are a multitude of hormones that play a key role in becoming pregnant, sustaining a pregnancy, birthing your baby and breast/chest feeding.  But for labour purposes, let's focus on the heavy hitters, and what you can do keep the wanted ones flowing and keep the unwanted ones at bay until they are needed.
Oxytocin- sometimes called the love hormone, it plays a super key role in labour.  Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland.  Oxytocin is what makes your uterus contract during labour.  This helps your uterus pull up the cervix to dilate and push your baby down towards the birth canal.  So pretty crucial right?  So, how can you influence the flow of oxytocin in labour?  

• Create a space for yourself during labour.  My best tip, stay at home as long as you can.  In your own space you are comfortable, more relaxed, can move around as you please, EAT, drink and be close with partners and loved ones.  All of this helps keep the oxytocin flowing.
• In the hospital environment, keep the space quiet, dimly lit, as calm as possible.  Wear your own clothes, bring your own scents and pillows if you want.  Ask that anyone who doesn't absolutely need to be in that room to stay out!  Make sure your birth team and providers are clear about your wishes.

Prostaglandins- so not technically a hormone, but work in tandem with your hormones to get your body ready for birth.  Prostaglandin's do all kinds of cool things, they help uterus be more accommodating to the influx of those oxytocin receptors, give you those awesome pre-labour poops and help relax the uterus for labour.  Most importantly, are responsible for softening the cervix so it can dilate. A tip for helping prostaglandins along?

• Semen is really high in prostaglandins, so if you have a male partner, after 37 weeks, having sex can really help your cervix along.  Don't feel like it?  Don't worry, you'll get their either way!
  

Catecholamines- these are your fight/flight/freeze hormones.  These are the ones you want to keep at bay until you reach the pushing phase.  During the second stage of labour, catecholamines will give you the needed surge of energy to push your baby out into the world.  Your baby will also produce these hormones as they get ready to be born, it helps them take their first real breath.  So, you are wondering, how do I stave these off?

• Broken record, but labour at home until you can't.  Being in your home environment (as long as it's a place of comfort for you) will help you stay more relaxed.  Transferring to the hospital too soon can activate your catecholamines, which can actually slow or stop contractions. 
• Having coping techniques ready (epidural or no epidural), a hospital environment can be very jarring for some people.  Having techniques to keep you breathing deep, slow and steady will help keep you in a good head space.