19/01/2024
Oxytocin (also known as the love hormone 💕) is the hormone responsible for contractions in labour.
Oxytocin is a shy hormone, it is present when you feel safe, secure and loved. Somethings that increase your oxytocin include:
✅Kissing
✅Sex
✅Hand holding
✅Hair stroking
✅Cuddles
✅Laughing
✅Nipple stimulation
✅Music
Some of these things can be used in labour to help oxytocin to flourish and contractions to stay regular. Things that reduce Oxytocin include:
🚫Feeling scared or threatened
🚫Being in unfamiliar surroundings
🚫Bright lights
🚫Stress
So ways you can help your Oxytocin levels in labour:
💜Have a birthing partner you are close to, encourage them to hold your hand, massage you and reassure you
🤍Use positive affirmations to remind yourself you are safe and your body is designed for labour
💜Choose your birthing environment or adapt your birthing environment to suit you (e.g dim lighting, fairy lights, photos, nice smells, your own pillow)
🤍Watch a funny film
💜Listen to music you love
🤍Minimise the chatter in your birth space
💜Encourage your birthing partner to read positive stories or hypnobirthing scripts
To find out more about how to prepare for labour and birth visit https://www.pregnancytoparenthood.uk/
