Vaginal Delivery Releases Oxytocin

Delivering a baby vaginally releases maternal behavior hormone

Delivering a baby vaginally triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone known to influence maternal behavior in animals. Now a study shows that a human mom’s brain reacts more strongly to her baby’s needs if she’s had a vaginal birth.

Researchers performed brain scans on women two to four weeks after delivery. When their babies cried, the mothers who’d given birth vaginally showed significantly more responsiveness in brain regions regulating emotion and motivation compared to moms who’d had a C-section. The finding could help moms who have trouble bonding with their baby.

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