Hormones are chemicals that travel through the body; They are messengers, they carry information for our body to function properly. These substances are involved in multiple functions: growth, metabolism, reproduction …
Most hormones are manufactured by glands, special groups of cells, and within them we find oxytocin, the love hormone, which plays a fundamental role during childbirth and breastfeeding.
What is oxytocin?
As we have discussed, oxytocin is a hormone. It is produced in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain, and is stored in the pituitary, a gland that is also found in the brain.
In response to certain stimuli, it is released and then travels through the blood throughout the body, acting on certain organs. It is known as the hormone of love , because it is related to affectivity, and plays a very important role during childbirth and breastfeeding.
Oxytocin and sexual intercourse
It also intervenes in our sexual life. An increase in oxytocin has been seen during sexual intercourse in both men and women, peaking during orgasm.
Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract and these contractions would help the semen reach the egg to promote conception. In men, oxytocin levels also increase although they are lower; oxytocin causes contractions in the prostate and seminal vesicles.
Oxytocin in pregnancy
During pregnancy, oxytocin is not the main hormone, but when the end of pregnancy approaches, oxytocin receptors in the uterus and in the mammary gland increase, thus preparing the body for childbirth and lactation.
Oxytocin in childbirth
During labor, our body naturally releases high levels of oxytocin. The secretion of oxytocin is stimulated by the distention of the cervix, and helps our uterus to contract, favoring the dilation of the cervix, the birth of the baby and later the expulsion of the placenta (delivery).
Although oxytocin levels vary from one woman to another, they are lowest during the first phase of labor and rise until reaching their maximum during delivery. In addition, there is a significant increase in sensitivity to oxytocin during labor; that is, the same amount of oxytocin would have more effect. This works by favoring the early attachment bond with the baby in the first hours of life.
But it is not only the mother that releases oxytocin. The baby is also capable of producing oxytocin during delivery.
Oxytocin and breastfeeding
Oxytocin also plays a critical role in breastfeeding. There are oxytocin receptors in the mammary gland that allow it to act there (get your message across). Lactocytes are the cells that produce breast milk, which are grouped around ducts and are surrounded by myoepithelial cells (similar to muscle cells). This set is called the alveolus.
Oxytocin causes these myoepithelial cells to contract and helps the milk flow through the ducts until it exits the nipple. This is known as an ejection reflex . The suckling of the baby stimulates the release of oxytocin. The ejection reflex is bilateral, that is, it affects both breasts at the same time. For this reason, it is common that when we are breastfeeding from one breast, the other also leaks. In addition, oxytocin is released in response to other stimuli (seeing or hearing the baby, touching him …). For this reason, some mothers notice that their breasts leak when they hear their baby cry.
As we have previously discussed, oxytocin also contracts the muscle fibers of the uterus. This happens not only during childbirth but also with breastfeeding, thus promoting the uterus to contract and reducing postpartum hemorrhage. These postpartum uterine contractions are known as miscarriages; they are milder in primiparous women and more intense and painful in women who have had more children (but remember that they are beneficial).
In what situations is oxytocin inhibited?
The hypothalamus produces oxytocin and it is stored in the pituitary in large quantities, ready to be released when needed. As we have seen that there are certain stimuli that trigger its secretion (the sucking of the breast, the baby’s crying …) this release can also be inhibited in certain situations. Adrenaline, which is released in stressful situations, when we feel danger, we are afraid, cold … inhibits the secretion of oxytocin .
In medicine, we have drugs capable of inhibiting the effect of oxytocin: they are tocolytic drugs , which are used to try to stop premature births.
Finally, it should be noted that oxytocin is manufactured in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary in much higher quantities than those released during a shot. Therefore, it is rare for oxytocin to be absent. However, this can happen in Seehan’s Syndrome , fortunately a rare complication in our environment. It occurs when the woman suffers severe bleeding during childbirth and the pituitary tissue dies.
What is synthetic oxytocin used for?
Our body produces oxytocin naturally. But in the middle of the 20th century, oxytocin was artificially synthesized. Synthetic oxytocin is used to induce labor. In this way, it is intended to imitate the processes that occur naturally and trigger labor.
In addition, it is used to promote the delivery of the placenta and reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage .
Other functions of oxytocin
Oxytocin also acts as a neurotransmitter and plays an important role in behavior. It is involved in social behavior , in the formation of bonds , attachment, increases empathy and self-confidence . For this reason it is known as the hormone of love .
It is also responsible for maternal behavior . Thus, it was seen that if a childless rat was injected with oxytocin and given a baby, it had a maternal behavior with it. It has been seen that after delivery, if the baby is placed skin-to-skin on the mother, she releases oxytocin peaks at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Oxytocin levels return to normal 60 minutes after delivery if the baby does not suck. Oxytocin is thus one of those responsible for that infatuation with our baby immediately after delivery, that crush , that spontaneous behavior that mothers have consisting of caresses, cuddles, vocalizations … However, not all women experience it, as we remember that there are certain situations in which oxytocin can be inhibited (stress, traumatic delivery …).
Other functions of oxytocin have been studied, showing that it helps reduce tension and stress. Oxytocin levels were compared in nursing mothers and mothers who fed their babies with a bottle and it was found that those who breastfed had higher levels of oxytocin and lower levels of blood pressure, thus concluding that oxytocin has an anti-stress and lowering effect blood pressure .
As we have seen, oxytocin plays a fundamental role during labor and breastfeeding . It works by contracting the muscle fibers of the uterus and the myoepithelial cells that surround the mammary alveoli. But in addition, it is involved in behavior and is responsible, among other things, for maternal and paternal behavior.
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