Birthing Spirit

I have been looking forward to hearing Michel Odent speak about the “ormones of lorve” for ages and I was not disappointed. The Birth, Breastfeeding and Beyond conference was just wonderful and each speaker was as equally inspiring as Michel.

Michel spoke first about c-sections and how ’safe’ and easy they have become, but that this ’safety’ is measured without taking into account the effects of c-sections on the quality and duration of breastfeeding. Of course references to research into the ‘ormones’ played a big part in his presentation although he gave too many wonderful examples for me to remember or jot down, but I am now armed with pages of references to peruse.

Later he did a whole presentation on oxytocin, which did you know was discovered in 1909? Me neither. First of course they discovered and researched the mechanical effects (speeded up labour, milk ejection reflex etc). But it took a long time for scientists to start looking at the behavioral effects. And synthetic oxytocin (used in inductions, “failure to progress” – don’t get me started on that one, and in the 3rd stage of labour for delivery of the placenta) doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier and so it has only the mechanical effects, not the lovey dovey behavioral ones.

Then came the really good stuff, which we have all read about or know instinctively, but Michel is right, if we are to get our message across, we need to be bilingual and speak in scientific language aswell as that of the heart.

So the scientists had discovered oxytocin receptors in the body, uterus etc, but in the 80s they found them in the brain. When these receptors in the brain were destroyed in rats, the rats could give birth, but they had no mothering instinct. Oxytocin is the hormone of love And Michel called it a ’shy’ hormone…ie there needs to be privacy for peak levels. He quoted some Swedish studies that showed that the highest levels of oxytocin EVER is in the period just after birth, which is essential not just for the physiological actions (delivery of placenta, milk ejection etc) but for that magical bonding and goey mother-love (my words, not his).

Peak levels of oxytocin cannot be reached if the mother is distracted in ANY way eg. cutting the cord, which makes her look at what’s happening rather than at her baby, or anyone talking to her, or my personal favourite, the partner calling people on his mobile. This brings her back to earth when she should be off the planet in mother-baby-bonding-land where nobody else can go, with peak levels of oxytocin (and other hormones – the ultimate cocktail, ah if we could bottle it) which has far-reaching influence on mothering, breastfeeding, baby development…you name it, this influences it.

What happens as a matter of routine in most hospitals at the moment, is that the mother is given an injection of synthetic oxytocin to “assist the delivery of the placenta” (we’ll save a full 3rd stage discussion for another day). If you introduce ANY synthetic hormone into the body, it blocks the release of the natural hormone, so what are we doing here? We’re blocking the release of the mother’s own “hormone of love” and replacing it with one that will still perform the mechanical functions of the natural hormone, but not the behavioral functions. I don’t think I need to spell that one out, it’s always always all about the love

Every step of the way, our modern birth culture and practice is disrupting the woman’s own hormonal symphony and the implications of this are beyond our comprehension. It will take decades for science to catch on to the heart and soul of what mothers and birthworkers intuitively know about this magical time.

As Michel said, this stuff is not just for those of us that were there at the conference, but “for all those interested in the future of humanity” because what are we doing to generations of people if we are messing with the “love” part?

After a question from the audience Michel also briefly touched on partners at birth and the often negative impact this can have. There are many many factors around this issue which could be a seminar in itself and before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, of course I recognise that not only are they an integral part but they can have a very positive influence also (sometimes they may be the only familiar, loving face a woman sees!). What Michel was referring to, was the contagiousness of adrenaline. It can be a terrifying and distressing experience for many partners and their adrenaline is transmitted and can negatively influence the delicate hormonal dance going on between mother and baby. Partners are EXPECTED to be there these days and they may not want to be. It’s not just women who need to be empowered to trust birth…and while I generally disagree with blanket policy, enforced confiscation of mobile phones in the birth room would be warmly welcomed!

A theme that kept coming up over and over again is that the women need to claim their power and not hand it over to ANYONE at anytime, this includes doctors, midwives, their mother, friends or societal expectations. Question EVERYTHING and apply the following questions to absolutely everything that your carers might suggest to help you make an informed decision. I learnt this the other night and I think it’s a great tool reminding you to use your BRAIN:

• Benefits – what are the benefits of this procedure/drug?
• Risks – what are the risks?
• Alternatives – what are the alternatives?
• Intuition – use it!
• No – what if I say No? (Many women who birth in a hospital don’t realise that when they say “this is hospital policy” you can still negotiate! You are a paying customer in that hospital with either your tax dollars or cash and at all times you can actually just say “no”)

Trust your body, birth and your ability to breastfeed and know whats best for you and your baby.

OK, so I got a bit carried away and this is a bit of a long post, so I will save the James McKenna co-sleeping stuff for another day. Resources below:

• WombEcology.com
• Primal Health Research
• Birth Psychology
• Ecstatic Birth: Nature’s hormonal blueprint for labour

Unbelievable! I just did a quick clipart search to look for some breastfeeding pics and there are all of 6 images, 3 of which are cartoons and none of which actually show a breast. I shouldn’t be so suprised and will remind my self of this quote that one of the midwives posted the other day:

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,
or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human
spirit.”

Helen Keller