Nurture Your Whole Self, Baby and Our Humanity with Oxytocin-The Hormone of LOVE, CALM, CONNECTION AND HEALING.
by Michelle Maniaci, PT, RYT, EHP
www.nurturingmoves.com
305.206.2229
Oxytocin which means "quick labor/birth ", is a neurotransmitter and hormone that is frequently associated with labor and childbirth. In fact, it is the most vital hormone to facilitate a natural unmedicated, painless and effortless birth experience. In the past 20 years there has been more and more research studies that have revealed the many different functions and benefits of this very important substance. Though most studies to date have been done on animals, we may still greatly benefit from a deeper understanding of the importance of stimulating the release of this vital hormone in our everyday to nurture our baby and self.
What is Oxytocin?
Kerstin Uvnas-Moberg, author of The Oxytocin Factor, calls the oxytocin system in mammals The Calm, Healing, and Connection System in the human body. This system works most efficiently when the body is calm and at rest. It helps the body to heal, grow, and reproduce. Oxytocin is commonly associated with labor, birth, and nursing. The release of oxytocin in the body is influenced by the outside environment (through the five senses), inside (through sensory receptors in the muscles and joints), and sensory receptors in the internal organs. Our physical and emotional environment, thoughts, associations, and memories all influence the system.
Where in the body is oxytocin produced?
Oxytocin is produced in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Nerve fibers from these areas travel to the posterior dorsal lobe of the pituitary gland. From the pituitary, nerves travel to various areas of the brain close to the hypothalamus and brain stem, sites connected with the regulation of blood pressure, pulse, alertness, movement, and feeling. These same nerves also connect with locations in the brain and spinal cord that control the activity of the autonomic nervous system as well as the sensation of pain. Currently, the only place we have discovered in the human body to be oxytocin receptors is in the contraction mechanism of the uterus. We have yet to discover where else in the human body are the different oxytocin receptor sites.
What effects does the release of oxytocin produce in the body ?
Based on human studies: Oxytocin levels go up when we nurse, eat, make love, have physical contact with another individual (massage, hugs, snuggling, carrying child).
Based on Rat studies:
- Less fearful
- More Sociable
- Increased eye contact
- Nurturing
- Sexual and maternal behavior (mothers interact more with their babies) is increased.
- Makes us feel safe and supported, less fearful so we may more easier engage in social interaction with strangers and build relationships.
- Lowers blood pressure and lowers levels of cortisol/stress hormone.
- Increased interaction between mothers and their babies.
- May improve social memory-easier to recognize someone you have met before.
- Increased calm, lowers pulse, and blood pressure in humans and apes.
- Alleviates pain, reduces the sensation of pain. the reaction to the message of pain diminishes.
- Improves learning ability, especially after receiving repeated injections over time.
- Aids in digestion, but depends on whether full or hungry. Over time the digestive processes work more efficiently, in part because oxytocin stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and the release of digestive hormones such as gastrin, cholecystokinin, somatostatin, and insulin-these 3 promote storage of nourishment in the body. Oxytocin influences vagus nerve activity-if person is full increases digestive activity, if person is hungry-digestive process inhibited.
- Oxytocin stimulates the pituitary’s release of prolactin (stimulates the production of milk), growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).
- Oxytocin reduces muscle tension.
- Oxytocin causes vasodilation of the chest/face area while carrying baby (also seen in males) and nursing.
- Release of baby, uterus, and breast milk.
- Based on observations in studies with rats, how may I naturally stimulate the release of oxytocin in my body?
- Skin to skin touch is one of the strongest ways to stimulate the oxytocin system.
- Warmth, pleasant, repetitive, and rhythmical touch.
- Massage at the rate of 40 strokes per minute especially to the chest and abdominal area.
- Receiving loving and nurturing care, and being handled positively in early life sets us up for a continued sense of feeling safe and connected, which is necessary for emotional and physical health.
- Sexual relations, love making, fore play, and orgasm.
- Feeling grateful, friendliness, openness, surrender to the moment, being the witness/observer. Seeing the beauty in every thing, instead of judging or criticizing, feeling the inner connection with all living things, our Oneness with all that is around us.
- Closeness and physical contact, bonding relationships especially within first hour after birth, this has long term effects on both mother and child.
- Having a doula at your birth has been shown to reduce the experience of pain during labor, and speed delivery. As a result, women view the experience of labor in a more positive light. Six weeks after birth, mothers who had doula at birth have better relationships with their infants, partners, and fewer incidences of depression.
- Entrainment: If we have higher levels of oxytocin, we increase other people’s levels from them just being in our presence.
- Movement. The more body parts moving simultaneously, the higher the release of oxytocin.
- Physical closeness and touch provide us with feeling of security. SNUGGLING. Being around people we like.
- Exercise: The sensory nerve fibers in the muscles and joints causes the release of oxytocin. Exercise releases oxytocin and oxytocin promotes endorphin release-natural pain killers. Whole body exercise is more effective in stimulating a larger release of oxytocin.
- Whole body rhythmical breath-movement practices such as Yoga, Nurturing Moves, Belly Dance, Tai Chi, Certain Dance forms, or Chi Kung.
- Guided imagery, visualizations.
- Meditation that focuses on a rhythm. For example: awareness of heart beat, the rise and fall of the abdomen while you breathe with your diaphragm, singing, vocal toning and the repetition of a mantra or sacred word.
- Supportive and friendly psychological feedback. Listening attentively with eye contact, gives person feeling of confidence and connection, just as friendly touch does.
- Healthy personal relationships are linked with lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.
- Positive physical environments (through sight, hearing, smell, touch, warmth) or the memories of these positive environments.
- Familiar settings are more calming/relaxing, birthing in a hospital may be perceived as stressful or relaxing depending on how the person feels about the hospital.
- Taking a warm bath.
- Relaxing in the sun.
- The feeling of a full stomach generates peace and calm.
There are many ways to naturally stimulate the release of oxytocin throughout the life span to benefit our whole being and co-create a more loving, healing, and peaceful birth experience for both mother and baby. Uniting the science of love with daily loving rituals brings the highest level of effectiveness to ensure a more loving and peaceful next generation.To learn more about these cutting-edge topics and meet the world's
leading experts on birth and primal health research, join me in October
2012 For The Mid-Pacific World Conference On Birth and Primal Health
Research which is being hosted by Dr. Michel Odent and
Heloissa Lessa.
REFERENCES:
Odent, Dr. Michel. The Scientification of Love. Free Association Books.1999. www.wombecology.com
Uvnas-Moberg, Kerstin. The Oxytocin Factor: Tapping the hormone of calm, love and healing. De Capo Press, 2003.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY INSPIRATIONAL AND LOVING TEACHERS and CLIENTS. :)
ESSENTIAL ARTICLES TO EMPOWER, EDUCATE AND CREATE A MORE LOVING WORLD...with Love, Michelle Maniaci, creator of NURTURING MOVES