The Magical Duo: Oxytocin and Endorphins in Labour

Natural Pain Relief: Oxytocin and Endorphins

During labour, the body has its natural tools to help ease the journey. Oxytocin and endorphins, often referred to as the body's natural painkillers and bonding hormones play a crucial role. 

Let's explore how these two magical compounds work together to support mothers during labour and how you can use them.

Oxytocin: The Love Hormone

Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," is a neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus and discharged by the pituitary gland. 

Its effects on labour are profound. 

When contractions begin, oxytocin levels surge, promoting uterine contractions, which are essential for the progression of labour. 

Uterine Contractions: Oxytocin stimulates the uterine muscles to contract, aiding in the gradual dilation and effacement of the cervix. These contractions are what propel the baby down the birth canal.

Pain Relief: Oxytocin has natural pain-relieving properties. As labour progresses, the release of oxytocin helps counteract discomfort by promoting feelings of calm and emotional connection.

Bonding: Oxytocin is also responsible for mother-infant bonding. It surges during and after childbirth, strengthening the emotional connection between a mother and her newborn.

Endorphins: Nature's Painkillers

Endorphins are "nature's painkillers." These neurotransmitters are released by the pituitary gland and the central nervous system during labour. 

The body produces endorphins in response to stress or pain to help alleviate discomfort and promote a sense of well-being.

Pain Management: Endorphins act as natural pain relievers by binding to the body's opiate receptors, reducing the perception of pain. This is especially beneficial during labour, as it can help mothers cope with the intensity of contractions and the process of giving birth.

Stress Reduction: The release of endorphins helps to reduce stress and anxiety. As labour progresses, endorphins can help mothers remain calm and focused.

The Synergy of Oxytocin and Endorphins

The remarkable synergy between oxytocin and endorphins is where their true magic lies during labour:

Pain Relief: Oxytocin's calming effects, combined with endorphins' natural painkilling abilities, create a powerful duo for managing the discomfort of labour.

Positive Feedback Loop: Oxytocin and endorphins work in a positive feedback loop. As contractions intensify, the body releases more endorphins, increasing oxytocin levels and making labour more manageable and less painful.

Emotional Bonding: The release of oxytocin and endorphins fosters emotional bonding between the mother and her baby. This emotional connection not only eases labour but plays a vital role in nurturing the mother-infant relationship after birth.

Supporting the Natural Process

While the body's natural production of oxytocin and endorphins is a crucial part of the labour process, there are various ways to support and enhance their effects:

A Supportive Environment: Creating a calm and supportive birthing environment can encourage the release of these hormones. Dim lighting, favoured scent, soothing music, and the presence of a trusted birthing partner can all contribute to a positive experience.

Natural Pain Management: Techniques such as massage, warm water, and breathing exercises can complement the effects of oxytocin and endorphins, providing additional comfort and relief.

Mind-Body Connection: Relaxation, affirmations, and visualisation can help mothers stay focused and in tune with their bodies, facilitating the release of these beneficial hormones.

Oxytocin and endorphins are:

• The dynamic duo of labour.
• Offering a natural and potent cocktail for comfort.
• Promoting bonding.
• Ensuring a positive birth experience. 

How does Synthetic Oxytocin differ?

It is essential to know how synthetic oxytocin differs from natural oxytocin.

Synthetic oxytocin, often administered as Pitocin or Syntocinon during labour, serves as a medical intervention to augment uterine contractions and facilitate progress in childbirth. 

Synthetic Oxytocin differs from natural oxytocin in several vital ways.

• While the body produces natural oxytocin in response to labour progress and emotional bonding, synthetic oxytocin is a laboratory-produced hormone administered intravenously, allowing healthcare providers to control the dosage and timing. 
• Synthetic oxytocin may be required, but it can lead to more intense and sometimes less physiologically harmonious contractions compared to those driven by natural oxytocin. 
• Natural oxytocin has subtle, multifaceted effects on a mother's emotional state, fostering a sense of bonding and calmness lacking in the synthetic form.
• Synthetic oxytocin does not trigger the production of endorphins, your natural pain relief, during labour. Therefore, it is not surprising that the use of synthetic oxytocin often leads to an epidural or even a c-section.

What about a C-section?

Oxytocin's role in supporting mothers is not limited to natural childbirth; it also plays a vital part during cesarean sections. In a cesarean delivery, commonly referred to as a C-section, synthetic oxytocin is administered intravenously as a medication. 

This synthetic oxytocin serves two crucial purposes: it helps the uterus contract and control bleeding, reducing the risk of post-operative complications, and it facilitates the delivery of the baby. 

While the mother may not experience the same natural release of oxytocin during a C-section, the medical administration of this hormone remains instrumental in ensuring a safe and successful surgical birth, emphasising its versatile and indispensable role in the childbirth process, regardless of the method.

What creates natural oxytocin?

Understanding and supporting the body's ability to release these hormones can help but what is vital is the practice of what creates a natural flow of oxytocin.

As a couple, it is essential to prepare through practice together. The more a mother is encouraged to practice techniques that help produce oxytocin during labour, the more the chance of raising levels of endorphins (natural pain relief). Practice, practice, practice!!!

Here are some of the key elements that help produce natural oxytocin.

• Breathing
• Relaxation
• Comfort - using Movent, Postures, Massage and Pressure Points
• Education
• Environment
• Feeling Safe
• A Confident Birthing Partner

Start Practising

If you're interested in learning and practising techniques that produce oxytocin and endorphins during labour, you can join a weekly pregnancy yoga class with some hypnobirthing techniques and our Hypnobirthing workshop for couples. Both are designed to empower you with the confidence for an easier birth.