The Benefits of Natural Oxytocin :: A Guest Post from a Midwife

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We are so excited to be partnering with Beth Overton, LM, CPM from the Corpus Christi Birth Center to bring you periodical articles pertaining to a more holistic approach to pregnancy and child birth. I you’re interested in more information, be sure to check our their website or visit them on Facebook.

 

Did you know that both mother and baby have hormones in their bodies that are designed to help them cope with labor?

It’s true!

Not only are mothers and babies able to cope with labor, but most will experience satisfaction and pleasure during a natural birth experience.

Now then, I’m not guaranteeing a “pain free” labor, but it’s possible to experience pleasure during a natural labor, despite any pain that might be temporarily felt during the process. This is especially true when the mother does not give in to fears.

When labor begins on its own and progresses naturally without complication, as it was designed to do, a woman’s body will produce a mix of natural hormones and endorphins. One of those hormones is called oxytocin. The blend of oxytocin, other hormones and endorphins will help the uterus to contract and push the baby out. More than that, they work together to relax both the mother and baby, and to reduce pain.

During a natural labor, the baby will benefit along with the mother. When natural labor takes place in a respectful and quiet environment – with loving support given by those closest to her – and the woman has freedom to follow her natural instincts, she will be less likely to be afraid and more likely to experience the full benefits of natural birth.

Fear produces hormones that inhibit the effects of oxytocin, which is why I spoke earlier of the mother not giving in to fear. 

Perhaps you have heard of a drug called Pitocin. Pitocin is synthetic version of the natural hormone, oxytocin. Pitocin is often used to start labor artificially. Now, Pitocin can be a very useful drug when it is necessary. But it is important to understand that Pitocin is not the same as oxytocin. Pitocin does contract the uterus…when it works. The fact is, Pitocin does not always work. And because it is synthetic and not natural, like many synthetic drugs, it carries risks, especially for the unborn baby. 

Oxytocin on the other hand carries no risk to the unborn baby and it does much more than just contract a uterus. Oxytocin actually makes a person feel good!

For this reason, oxytocin is sometimes called “the love hormone”. Oxytocin also helps mothers and babies to bond with one another. Oxytocin is released when a mother nurses her baby. Oxytocin is also released during labor not just to contract the uterus but, at the moment of birth, it will peak to facilitate a feeling of extreme pleasure and bonding. Oxytocin is the hormone your body uses to release milk from the breast, so you can nurse your baby. Pitocin does not do that. Oxytocin helps you bond with your baby after birth and as you nurse. Pitocin does not do that, either.

When it seems convenient to induce labor with Pitocin rather than wait a bit longer for labor to start naturally, these important differences between Oxytocin and Pitocin should be kept in mind. 

I would like you to consider one other very important reason to consider natural labor:

Simply put, unless there is a complication, natural labor is better for your baby. God designed the body to know the perfect time. So, listen to your body; trust your instincts. Be patient with the natural process. Since a baby would be at risk if given pain medications, even in a medicated delivery, great care is taken to not give the mother drugs which will “effect the baby.” So, keep in mind that if you receive pain medications, if those medications do reach your baby, it will be a risk to him or her. But now, think about what happens if your baby does not get pain medications and you do. If you receive pain medications, then it is unlikely your body will produce endorphins to help you cope with pain and fear, since you won’t be feeling much pain. Because of this, your baby will miss out on the endorphins your body would have produced during a natural labor and birth. Keep this in mind. Even if you do decide to take pain medications during labor, it will be helpful to your baby if you put it off as long as possible, so he or she can have the benefit of some of your endorphins and natural hormones.

 

Editors Note: We are also excited to have Beth as a part of our Expert Panel for Bloom! An Event for ALL moms, coming up on May 1st! Beth will be available to answer questions and give you additional information on all of the services that the Corpus Christi Birth Center has to offer. Be sure to follow the event page on Facebook so that you, too, can attend!

 

Beth has been a Texas Licensed Midwife (LM) since 1998 and has attended over 400 deliveries. She is a direct entry midwife and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives. Her specialty is out-of-hospital delivery including home and birth center. In May of 2012, Beth opened Corpus Christi’s first free-standing, state licensed birth facility. You can read more about Beth and her impressive list of credentials here.

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