Bearing a child can be a very excruciating process. During these few months, female body will completely change in order to facilitate birth of a small being. With all this said, it is also a very pleasant period. There is nothing better than being a mommy. It is something that all of us need to strive for. Even in the recent years, during which cult of family slowly started losing its meaning, childbirth is still one of the most sacred rituals for both men and women.
During this period, hormones are the most important substances. We all know how important estrogen is in a female body. At the same time, prolactin plays another important role as it enables lactation. However, there are other hormones that are also important for childbirth and interaction between mother and baby. People rarely mention oxytocin, a bonding hormone that improves motherly instincts.
It is the main hormone that stimulates contraction of cervix. People usually refer to it as “bonding hormone” or “love hormone” given its importance in all aspects of social behavior as well during reproductive cycle. It is secreted within hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream each time when we touch our baby. This is one of the most important factors that influence emotional stability of a woman preparing her for a new role of mother. From the very beginning of pregnancy, it creates feeling of selflessness, love and even altruism.
As previously mentioned, this hormone has various roles during pregnancy. It causes initial contractions and pushes baby towards the cervix while stimulating further contractions during labor. This hormone is very important for dilation of cervix. If the baby is going through, move the baby downwards and then, out of the birth canal. After that, placenta is being expelled and while limiting bleeding at the very site. During all of this, this increased pressure on mother’s body parts, leads to increased production of oxytocin as well as contractions. Basically, as long as there is enough oxytocin being produced within a body, pregnant women will have no issues delivering the baby.
Even after the childbirth, oxytocin still retains important role. Similarly to prolactin, it causes milk to flow which is one of the crucial bonding and feeding processes for any infant and mother. Every contact with a baby causes surge of oxytocin in body. This is why specialists from Oxytocin Factor suggest to mothers to constantly have contact with their babies because it can have such a strong influence on the mutual bond as well as mental health of the baby.
Oxytocin can be quite tricky, similarly to any other hormone produced within our body. Lack of this hormone can cause problems during childbirth, emotional issues, depression, lack of interaction between the mother and a baby. Unlike other hormones in the body, there is no proper level of oxytocin. The more you have it the better it is. This is why use of oxytocin sublingual drops and oxytocin nasal spray is a good therapy for all the mothers who lack this substance.