all about oxytocin - postpartum
My previous post was all about oxytocin during labor and birth - the basic mechanisms and what a laboring person can do to increase natural oxytocin release. But did you know that oxytocin also plays a huge role during postpartum and bonding with your baby? Below are a few ways oxytocin continues to work its magic.
Detachment of the placenta. It may come as a surprise that birth isn’t over until the placenta is born! After you birth your baby, oxytocin will continue to fuel uterine contractions to birth the placenta. You may also be given a shot of pitocin by your care provider at this stage. Start a discussion with your care provider at a prenatal visit if you have questions about this.
Involution of the uterus. Uterine contractions continue for several days after the placenta is born. Often known as afterpains, they help close off blood vessels in the uterus and continue to shrink it down to its pre-pregnancy size. This process is called involution. You may find afterpains are more pronounced when you are nursing or pumping - more on that in an upcoming blog post. If the afterpains continue for more than 3-4 days, please reach out to your care provider.
It helps keep your baby warm. When your baby is placed skin-to-skin on your chest, oxytocin acts as a vasodilator. That is, it increases blood flow to your chest and makes you the perfect incubator for your baby! Your skin will heat up to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature. Fun fact - if you are tandem nursing and one baby has a lower body temp, your body will adjust so that whatever side they are feeding on is warmer!
Lactation. Oxytocin works in lactation in a very similar way to that of labor. That is, when nerves are activated in the nipple or areola region, oxytocin is released from the brain into the bloodstream and cells contract. This time however it travels to the mammary glands and contracts the alveoli where milk is stored. This is also known as the let-down reflex. It is not uncommon for lactating people to experience this reflex during sex, especially during or after an orgasm.
Partners get oxytocin rushes too. Partners experience a flood of oxytocin to the brain when they hold their newborns for the first time. Skin-to-skin contact with their baby also has the same benefits as in the birthing parent. It is common for partners to feel left out and also experience oxytocin withdrawals in the days and weeks following the birth of their baby. Make a plan during pregnancy for how you will stay connected after your baby is born.
Bonding as your baby grows. Typically the gestational or lactating parents experience an increase in oxytocin during quieter, affectionate moments with their babies, including with the milk let-down reflex. For non-gestational parents, the oxytocin release may come after more stimulating interactions and play. At the end of the day, any loving moment with your baby will likely increase both your oxytocin and theirs.
In undisturbed physiological birth, these events unfold with minimal intervention necessary. Check out this blog post about how common interventions affect the oxytocin mechanism.
