Oxytocin - Pregnancy

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Oxytocin

Oxytocin is another important hormone and though it is what causes those painful contractions during labour, you wouldn’t be able to hold your gorgeous baby without it. Oxytocin has an important role in conception, labour and breastfeeding.

baby breastfeeding

Your baby can breastfeed thanks to your oxytocin hormones.

In conception, oxytocin is the hormone that is responsible for your sexual arousal and of course if you have no sex drive you can’t conceive. So cheers to oxytocin! During labour, oxytocin is the hormone which stimulates your contractions and kick starts the whole preocess. Without your contractions, your cervix wouldn’t dilate and childbirth wouldn’t be able to take place. In the final stage of labour oxytocin also helps you to deliver your afterbirth, though most women do have an injection of oxytocin to help them out during this stage. We think you deserve a bit of help at thta point! If labour needs to be induced, oxytocic medications are usually used via intravenous (IV). Oxytocin is also responsible for lactation, making it possible for you to breastfeed. As your pregnancy progresses, your milk glands develop and your oxytocin levels increase simultaneously.

What does oxytocin do to your body?

Oxytocin is pretty inconspicuous during your pregnancy, that is until you reach your third trimester when:

  • You may notice wet patches near your nipples, because you have begun to lactate,
  • You start to experience Braxton Hicks contractions,
  • And of course when you go into labour.

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