3- The Story of Childbirth

Show notes:

In the story of birth, Hormones play an important role in getting things going and keeping them regulated throughout the birthing process:

• Prostaglandins help soften the cervix.

• Oxytocin cranks up the contractions and calls in the endorphins. It also helps with milk let down after baby is born.

• Endorphins act as a natural pain reliever and regulate the contractions.

• Catecholamines are stress hormones that slow labor down early on then give a burst of energy needed to make it through the pushing stage. They also help baby take his first breath and be more alert during the first hour or so after birth.

• Prolactin helps produce milk.

Link to the “balloon video” talking about how contractions work.

Link to an excellent booklet with more information about how supporting your hormones leads to a healthy birth.

I used the following resources as I put this podcast together:

Buckley, S. J. (2015). Executive Summary of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 24(3), 145–153. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.24.3.145

Your Amazing Placenta. (n.d.). https://www.lamaze.org/placenta-use

Lothian, J., DeVries, C., & Lamaze International. (2010). The Official Lamaze Guide. Amsterdam University Press.

Simkin, P., Bolding, A., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Whalley, J. (2010). Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide (4th ed.). Meadowbrook.