11/10/2021
So, you have started having some niggling cramps, maybe you lost your mucous plug the night before, all signs are pointing towards labour starting. You call your care provider and they reassure you everything sounds normal and encourage you to stay at home. But why?
đź’— Hormones
All the good hormones which help your labour progress, tend to flow better when you are in the comfort of your own home. Creating a safe, calm, comfortable environment promotes oxytocin release. Oxytocin stimulates the uterus to contract. Your own natural source of oxytocin also acts as a protective buffer against stress, anxiety, and pain during labour and in the transition to motherhood. So, you can see why the more oxytocin the better!
⏱ Hospital Clock
Early labour generally takes time. Your body is working hard, making lots of changes to allow you to meet your baby. These changes take time. Unfortunately, the hospital system will often expect your body to progress at a certain rate (usually an unreasonable rate which does not consider the numerous signs of progress).
A retrospective study of over 1,200 women in Australia, found that those who were admitted to hospital less than 4-5cm dilated were more likely to have syntocinon hormone commenced, an epidural, emergency caesarean birth (for slow progress or fetal distress), more vaginal examinations and an increased chance of baby admission to special care nursery.
Bell AF, Erickson EN, Carter CS. Beyond labor: the role of natural and synthetic oxytocin in the transition to motherhood. J Midwifery Women’s Health. (2014)
Miller, Y.D., Armanasco, A.A., McCosker, L. et al. Variations in outcomes for women admitted to hospital in early versus active labour: an observational study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 20, 469 (2020).