Biology - birth hormones

module 5

Oxytocin

love hormone, produced by pituitary gland, increases uterine contractions, stimulates milk projection, stops progesterone

Prostaglandins

produced by the baby, stimulates contractions, makes uterus more sensitive to oxytocin

Prolcatin

released by pituitary gland, peaks during labour, increases milk production, increases breast size, released in 3rd trimester

Relaxin

Released by placenta, relaxes ligaments in pelvis, widens and softens cervix

Progesterone and oestrogen

both dramatically drop after birth, decrease just before birth to allow for contractions, decrease to allow more milk production, hormone drop causes baby blues

Endorphins

Natural pain relief, helps forget pain