Preparing for Childbirth: How do my Hormones Help?

Like throughout your pregnancy journey, your hormones play an intricate role in childbirth. Below are the main hormones at play and how exactly they help prepare your body for delivery. Your hormones are doing so much to help you on this journey!

## Oestrogen and Progesterone

At the very start of your pregnancy these two hormones increased quickly and then continued to fluctuate throughout your pregnancy [1]. They may have been responsible for your mood swings, morning sickness or hot flushes. However, they have also supported the growth of your baby and maintained the uterine lining, which enabled the egg to be implanted [2]. As you approach labour, they will finally start to stabilise back into their normal levels.

## Oxytocin

The ‘love hormone’ triggers your contractions [3]. In your third trimester the increase in oxytocin may have made you experience Braxton Hicks Contractions. When progesterone suddenly plummets, and oxytocin rises labour is induced. Having a supportive and positive birth environment will help boost your oxytocin, which helps your labour progress and flow. Oxytocin helps build trust and bonds and plays a vitally important role in baby-mother attachment [4].

## Beta Endorphins

The 'pleasure hormone' that can lead to elation and happiness during labour.

As your labour progresses and becomes more powerful, beta endorphins are released which offer a natural pain relief affect [8]

## Epinephrine

The 'excitement hormone', also known as adrenaline can have both positive and negative impacts on the labour. Having too much adrenaline can inhibit oxytocin which can slow down contractions and progress in labour, this can be avoided by learning about birth and the different paths it can take so you feel prepared. Some epinephrine in labour is helpful, particularly towards the end of labour to help you feel energised and able to carry on.

## Relaxin

This hormone is the bodies natural relaxant, softening ligaments and joints to accommodate for the growing baby [5]. In the third trimester the increase in relaxin increases your skins flexibility but may also cause some discomfort in your joints.

## Prolactin

Prolactin stimulates milk production in the mammary glands [6]. This often starts a few weeks or even months before labour but may increase after delivery as progesterone continues to drop. At the end of pregnancy and right after labour, your body produces colostrum, which is very good for baby’s immune system [7].