Oxytocin The Love Hormone

The close physical correlation between love, labour and lactation was unknown until the hormone Oxytocin and its effects on human tissues and behaviour was studied extensively. In this Valentine issue, M&B helps you understand why Oxytocin is called the love hormone and how it helps to procreate and nurture.

Many brilliant minds have been intrigued and attracted by the hormone that rules our heart. In fact, Oxytocin is the first hormone that had its structure identified and composition synthesised in a laboratory. Chemically, Oxytocin is a relatively small peptide hormone that comprises nine amino acids. It performs a very important part in the process of childbirth and childcare by facilitating labour, breastfeeding and mother and baby bonding.

Along with these, man-woman relationships get defined by the active presence of Oxytocin since physical intimacy and touch is a result of its presence in the human body. Studies have revealed that social recognition, relationship-building emotions like bonding and trust and even maternal behaviour are affected by this amazing hormone that also plays the role of a neurotransmitter in the brain.

LABOUR

On a physical level, Oxytocin promotes the contraction of muscles. During the onset of labour, Oxytocin helps to contract the uterine muscles and plays a critical part in the birth process. According to M&B panel expert, childbirth educator and authority on lactation Sonali Shivlani, labour begins spontaneously only when the baby is ready and this can be any time between 38 and 42 weeks. She says, We explain this to expecting mums very simply and say that the baby tells your body that I am ready' and this naturally triggers the contractions or the flow of Oxytocin. But there are other ways to start labour contractions like aromatherapy or sex.