How is Labor like Valentines day? No this isn’t one of those horrible jokes. The childbirth process and the hallmark holiday are both centered around one key emotion that guides the whole process: Love.
Or more specifically for labor, the love hormone of Oxytocin.
When I mention the idea of an orgasmic birth to my childbirth classes I am usually met with a mixture of nervous laughter and confused/incredulous faces. Certainly this is not what we usually see in conventional media depictions of birth. But the truth is that if undisturbed (which sadly is quite rare) the birth process can have many of the same hormones involved as a well done romantic evening.
Renowned Australian doctor Sarah Buckley outlines the key 4 hormones involved in the labor process in her article: Hormones in Labour and Birth, and how your body helps you. She points out that there are 4 key hormone systems involved in the labor process, and points out that these hormones are the same hormones that are involved in experiences of ecstasy, transcendence, love, and yes, orgasm.
The 4 hormone systems are:
Oxytocin: This is often referred to as the love hormone. It is present in large amounts during intimacy as well as during the process of labor and birth, as well as the bonding phase following birth. Oxytocin is probably the most well known hormone for labor (and is what Pitocin attempts to synthesize). Oxytocin has been shown to influence numerous what are called ejection reflexes in the body. This refers to the male ejection reflex in ejaculation, as well as the pulsations of the uterus during orgasm and during labor. It also influences the Natural Expulsion Reflex that causes the body to begin bearing down at the end of labor. If we remember that Oxytocin is created deep within the brain and that our emotional state influences how much is released, we might begin to see where the valentines date and the labor room have an intersection point. Lousy atmosphere leads to slower oxytocin release.
Endorphines: Its not just Oxytocin that’s in play during labor. There are also high levels of the body’s naturally occurring opiates called beta-endorphins. Endorphins are actually stress hormones and are released in large amount in response to pain and duress, but they are also released in large amounts during intimacy and orgasm. As any marathon runner can tell you, the impact of these hormones is a feeling of not only euphoria, but decreased physical discomfort and focus. In appropriate levels, endorphins can complement the loving feelings of Oxytocin, too much endorphins however and oxytocin production can be decreased. From an evolutionary perspective of labor this might make sense, if the pain of the contractions becomes too great because, say, a baby is not in position, the body might reduce the contraction strength in order to give baby time and space to rotate. If the date isn’t going well, we might try taking a moment and pausing rather than trying to force ourselves to have fun.
Catecholamines (Fight or Flight hormones): Adrenaline and Noradrenaline are usually hormones that childbirth educators and doula want to avoid during labor. These stress hormones known as catecholamines inhibit oxytocin production during the first phase of labor (the thinning and opening of the cervix). Again thinking from an animal brain point of view this makes sense. If a bear is lurking around nearby, you don’t want to continue birthing your infant baby, you want labor to stop so you can flee to a safer space, and then continue labor. And yes our body’s have this ability to shut down the labor process if we don’t feel completely safe in our labor space or with our labor team. This also works in the valentine’s analogy. You aren’t going to enjoy your date, if you’re constantly worried about whether the restaurant is on fire.
The interesting thing, as Buckley points out, is that these hormones can actually have a totally different effect during the second stage of labor (pushing and birth). In this phase, it is possible catecholamines can actually speed up the labor process rather than slowing it down. If you realize the bear is there, but you can also feel your baby is coming, then the best option is probably not to stop labor, but to finish it as quickly as possible, scoop up your newborn, and then run. I have actually heard some women describe feeling suddenly anxious and highly alert right as their baby’s crowned almost as though they suddenly had to check whether there were a threat before they brought their baby into their arms. ‘Quick! Eat that dessert in one bite, because we gotta go!’
