Why Oxytocin Matters

This article describes the hypothalamic oxytocin system with a focus on the oxytocin neurons that release oxytocin into the circulation to stimulate uterine contractions or milk ejection and the smaller oxytocin neurons that reach and release oxytocin within the brain to decrease fear, pain and stress, stimulate growth and induce wellbeing. Thus, the oxytocin may act both as a hormone and a neurotransmitter. We will also describe the differences and similarities of the effects induced by oxytocin during pregnancy, labor, birth, and breastfeeding. Today many women receive synthetic oxytocin in order to initiate or augment labor, to decrease postpartum hemorrhage and sometimes to stimulate milk ejection. However, it is becoming more and more apparent that support (by midwives, doulas, partners, etc.) of the mother during labor may facilitate the process of birth. The role of oxytocin and the physiological mechanisms mediating the positive effects of support during labor will be presented and discussed in this chapter.