Oxytocin and Ecstatic Birth: Excerpt from "Orgasmic Birth"

I love the book Orgasmic Birth, and I am not even done reading it yet! I love it because it opens the mind to so many possibilities for birth other than pain. Women do have ecstatic and orgasmic births! You can have one too! In the first chapter, Elizabeth Davis describes how the hormones of birth can work for - or against - the laboring woman. Here is an excerpt:

Thus the key to a spontaneous, ecstatic labor is simply to avoid whatever interferes with oxytocin production. Although adrenaline is the primary culprit, fear is not the only trigger: Stress, worry, or anything that causes beta brain waves will stimulate the release of adrenaline. If we feel our safety is in question or we are being watched, we move into beta (rapid or jagged brain waves induced by stress). As mentioned earlier, virtually all mammals slow or stop labor if observed. In hospital births, women are observed not only by medical personnel but also by technology (fetal monitoring, frequent interval exams, etc.). Even a mother's observations of her own behavior ("Am I doing it right?") dramatically reduce oxytocin release. Again, note the parallel to sexual activity: To whatever extent we are self conscious or worried about our performance, the potential for (and magnitude of) orgasm decreases exponentially. In fact, anything that stimulates the neocortex (such as exposure to bright light, people asking questions or conversing within earshot, or any sensory stimulation requiring linear thought) interferes with oxytocin production. In birthing, as in making love, privacy is crucial." (emphasis mine) 

Food for thought... how does this make you feel? What are some things you will do to try and maximize oxytocin production during your own labor?

My suggestions....
- Surround yourself with people (or person) you love and trust
- Create a scene of privacy as much as possible during labor (this may include staying home for as long as possible if planning a hospital birth)
- Ask your partner to enlist the help of hospital staff in creating a private and safe environment for you by keeping the lights dim and conversation to a minimum
- Keep monitoring and vaginal checks to an absolute minimum
- Create an environment of love between you and your partner to stimulate oxytocin production... kiss, hug, hold each other, touch, slow dance
- Do things that promote slow brain waves (alpha or theta).. follow a labyrinth with your eyes (see previous post), moan, chant, listen to slow relaxing music, avoid logical thinking/talking/activities..

And if you haven't done so yet... read this book!

Ecstatic birth wishes to you all...
Elyse