And could giving birth even be pleasurable? Read on to find out!
Working on your birth plan, new mama-to-be? SO exciting! As a doula-in-training, I’ve worked to help women figure out what choices they have as they prepare to welcome their new little person into the world. And the great news is, you’ve got lots of choices!
But that is also an overwhelming thing sometimes. You’ve got a ton on your mind, hormones are surging, and this baby is coming soon! So, let me save you some time and tell you one thing that will make your birth experience a LOT better: you need oxytocin to give birth to your baby. And when it comes to oxytocin, the more, the merrier.
What is oxytocin, you ask? Great question! Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter (like serotonin and dopamine). It is, specifically, the neurotransmitter associated with touch, bonding, and love. Oxytocin is released when you hug or kiss a loved one, when you have sex, when you breastfeed, and other times as well. You need lots of oxytocin in order for labor to begin and progress, as it is what is responsible for signaling your uterus to contract and push that baby out!
So what happens if you don’t have enough oxytocin to get labor going? Could mean that you end up overdue. And what happens if you start labor, but don’t have enough oxytocin to get strong enough…
