Oxytocin is a major hormone of labour and birth. As well as facilitating the rhythmic contractions of labour in all mammals, oxytocin also acts within the maternal brain at this time, with calming, connecting and pain-relieving effects. Oxytocin activates maternal behaviour in all mammals including by activating brain reward and pleasure centres through the oxytocin peaks of labour and birth. The oxytocin system in labour and birth can be disrupted by obstetric interventions. This presentation draws from current knowledge, human and animal research, and biological understandings to discuss possible positive and negative impacts of synthetic oxytocin, epidurals, and caesareans on maternal and fetal oxytocin systems. Strategies to fill possible ‘hormonal gaps’ are also discussed.
Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the major functions of oxytocin in labour and birth.
2.Describe how obstetric interventions can create an “oxytocin gap” in labour.
3.Describe actions that caregivers can take to protect oxytocin in labour and birth.
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