Let’s Talk About Endorphins, Baby!

Okay, let’s talk about endorphins.

In response to stress and pain, the body produces calming and pain-relieving hormones called beta endorphins. This happens during any sort of physical activity. In an unmedicated, physiological labour, beta endorphins continue to rise steadily and steeply. As the sensations get more intense, the beta endorphins get stronger. High endorphin levels can create an altered state of consciousness that can help the birther flow with the birth process, even if it’s long and intense. (which is normal!)

Right around the time of pushing, there is a rush of adrenaline (also known as the “fight or flight” hormone), that brings the birther back to their conscious mind, and gives them the energy needed to push their baby out. In the wild, this surge of adrenaline is needed to create awareness and the ability to fight off any wild animals as the baby is being born. In the birthing space, this creates a state of alertness, so that the birther is wide awake when she first meets her baby and they can immediately start to bond. 

Epidurals significantly interfere with some of the major hormones of labour and birth, including oxytocin (also known as the “love hormone”. It helps mother and baby fall in love, and also causes the uterus to contract), beta endorphins, and adrenaline. This is largely due to the fact that epidurals are very effective at relieving pain, and so they disrupt the body’s natural endorphin-driven pain relief.

I like this quote by Dr. Sarah Buckley, which says: “Perhaps the widespread use of epidurals reflects our difficulty with supporting women in this altered state, and our cultural preference for laboring woman to be quiet and acquiescent.” Ohhhh snap.

This altered state of consciousness happens deep into the birth process. I’ve heard it described as “going to another planet” or “being in a time warp” or “being in a birth vortex”. It’s important that I describe this as a normal part of birth because there is truly nothing weird about it. It’s the body’s natural way of managing pain. From an outside perspective, the birther will likely be sleeping between sensations, and waking up at each one. They won’t be talking at all, and even if they’re asked questions, they will likely only give single-word answers. From what I’ve seen, no one knows what to do with a person in this state, and also, somehow no one understands what is happening. How do I explain that the woman SNORING ON THE BED between contractions is in a deeply altered state of being because her body is doing what it’s supposed to and she CANNOT answer your questions, she CANNOT shift her body to a different bed, and she certainly CANNOT tell you when she last ate. She likely has zero idea what time it is, nor does she care. I have witnessed some fear around this - likely because it’s rarely seen in a hospital setting - but there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. It is normal, and it is beautiful. Human bodies are truly incredible. 

Resources:

Sarah Buckley - Epidurals risks and concerns

Physiological birth with Dr. Rachel Reed