The Hormones of Birth

A positive birth experience relies on a gorgeous cocktail of hormones. These hormones are produced naturally by our bodies- magic hey? Some of those hormones are needed in small amounts whilst others are needed by the bucket load. Let’s find out a bit more about them…

1. Oxytocin (The "Love Hormone")

  • What it does: This is the hormone that gets things moving! It makes the uterus contract during labour and helps the cervix open. It's also released when you breastfeed, helping with milk flow.

  • How it helps: It makes labour progress, helps with pain management (it’s like your body’s natural painkiller), and helps you bond with your baby afterward. It’s kind of the star of the show!

2. Prostaglandins

  • What it does: These little guys soften and thin the cervix to help it open up for labour. They also help the uterus contract.

  • How it helps: Without them, your cervix wouldn’t be able to get soft enough for birth, and labour would be way harder.

3. Endorphins (The Body's Natural Painkillers)

  • What it does: Endorphins are the feel-good hormones. They help manage pain during labour and make you feel more relaxed and calm.

  • How it helps: When you’re in labour, endorphins help ease the pain of contractions. They’re your body’s natural version of a painkiller, so you can handle everything better.

4. Adrenaline (The "Fight or Flight" Hormone)

  • What it does: Adrenaline is released when you're feeling anxious or stressed.

  • How it helps: In small amounts, it gives you a burst of energy during the final stage of labour (pushing the baby out). But too much adrenaline can actually slow things down, so it’s important to stay calm and relaxed during labour to keep things flowing.

5. Relaxin

  • What it does: Relaxin helps soften and loosen the ligaments and joints in your pelvis.

  • How it helps: It’s what allows your body to stretch and adjust as the baby moves through the birth canal. Without it, your pelvis wouldn’t be flexible enough to accommodate the baby during birth.

6. Prolactin

  • What it does: Prolactin is the hormone that gets your body ready to produce milk after birth.

  • How it helps: After your baby is born, prolactin helps with milk production for breastfeeding. It doesn’t directly affect labour, but it’s crucial for that postpartum bonding time when you start breastfeeding.

7. Cortisol (The Stress Hormone)

  • What it does: Cortisol helps your body handle stress and also gets your baby ready to breathe outside the womb.

  • How it helps: For the baby, cortisol helps their lungs mature, so they’re ready to take that first breath. For you, it’s involved in the stress response, but it’s also a sign that labour is getting closer.

8. Estrogen

  • What it does: Estrogen rises toward the end of pregnancy and helps the body prepare for labour.

  • How it helps: It increases the sensitivity of your uterus to oxytocin (so contractions are more effective), and it helps soften the cervix and get things ready for birth.

In a Nutshell:

  • Oxytocin: Gets contractions going, helps with pain, and helps you bond with your baby.

  • Prostaglandins: Softens the cervix and helps with contractions.

  • Endorphins: Your natural painkillers that make you feel good.

  • Adrenaline: Gives you energy but can slow labour if you’re too stressed.

  • Relaxin: Makes your pelvis more flexible so the baby can fit through.

  • Prolactin: Gets your body ready for breastfeeding after birth.

  • Cortisol: Helps the baby’s lungs mature and deals with stress.

  • Estrogen: Preps the body for labour by helping the uterus and cervix.

These hormones are like a team working together to make sure labour happens smoothly, help you manage the pain, and get you and your baby ready for that first bonding moment after birth.

So, when we’re mixing up that gorgeous birth cocktail, we want to make sure we’ve got plenty of oxytocin but only a small helping of adrenaline.

Follow us on Instagram for more birth tips and info @thewelcomingbabyco

Hayley x

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