Yep, there’s hormones 💕 I’m sure I’m missing some, but these are the “big hitters” when it comes to birthing your baby. These are the ones that are focused on when people say “hacking your hormones" as they’re trying to reduce one or increase some.

Oxytocin

We all know oxytocin as the “love hormone” and while yes, it typically makes human feel more affectionate or selfless it also helps the uterus contract in labor. Oxytocin in released in waves during labor, if you need a refresher on the cycle of a contraction you can read my blog post here. These waves of oxytocin being released also increases the birthing persons pain tolerance and is at it’s highest amount just after birth when the uterus needs to contract to birth the placenta to reduce bleeding.

Melatonin

This is a helper hormone. Think of it as a gateway or an Uber for the other hormones. We need melatonin in labor for the rest of the hormones to work in harmony and for labor to progress.

Adrenaline

Blocks oxytocin effectively slowing/stopping labor. How often have you heard that people’s contractions slowed down or even stopped as they drove from their house to the hospital? Adrenaline was super helpful in the days when neanderthals were running from saber tooth tigers or other neighboring neanderthals, when they felt threatened labor stopped and they could get to a safe place. Once they felt safe, labor picked back up and eventually a baby was born. This is the same mindset for birth now, if you feel unsafe or are startled, An adrenaline dump will slow labor. Which is why so many people focus so heavily on creating a safe supportive birth space wherever you birth.

However, during the pushing phase, especially right before baby is born, you will get a surge of adrenaline (this is also aptly referred to as the Fetal Ejection Reflex) where adrenaline helps you push. Many people feel this surge and feel very strong, like they have more energy, and are “ready to do the damn thing.”

Your baby also produces adrenaline, especially as they are coming through the birth canal, as this helps protect their oxygen levels during the last little bit.

Prostaglandins

Softens/thins the cervix in preparation for labor. Prostaglandins typically begin to ramp up in the weeks leading up to labor. Creating receptors for this hormone. Did you know that sperm is actually a prostaglandin as well?

(Beta)Endorphins

Natural pain reliever/natures epidural, they are essentially the equivalent to opiates that our body naturally produces. However too many endorphins can have a negative effect and block oxytocin receptors essentially slowing labor down.

And they also help baby’s lungs develop! A natural steroid if you will.

Working in sync.

They all have multiple jobs and wok beautifully in sync together when left undisturbed. Unfortunately, how often is birth left undisturbed? Left to do what our bodies were meant to do? Because we can’t necessarily control how often we’re disturbed in birth (like when birthing in a hospital setting), what we can focus on is what we CAN control within that setting: like the lighting, the music, the people who will be with you the entire time, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, etc.

When we feel in control of things (even if they’re small things), it’s been shown that we view our birth as more positive and perceive less trauma (whether the trauma was “real” or not) when we feel in control.

So hack your hormones if you need to, you’ve got this 💕