hormones

Question 1

oxytocin

Answer 1

Made in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland
Causes placenta to contract during labour/delivery, reduces stress and conserves energy
Enhanced by contact of skin and by the baby’s first attempt at suckling (feeding at a breast)

Question 2

Endorphins (what, produced by, 2 functions)

Answer 2

Stress hormone
A Painkiller and immune system suppressant (prevents mothers immune system from acting against her baby, whose genetic material is foreign)
Naturally occurring opiate (morphine, heroin), secreted from the pituitary gland and released under pain
Facilitates the release of prolactin during labor and levels increase throughout labour

Question 3

prolactin

Answer 3

“Mothering hormone” or “submission or surrender”
Associated with fathers’ feelings of nurture; new fathers with higher prolactin levels more responsive to their babies; cries
In the breastfeeding relationship this activate the mothers vigilance and help her to put her baby’s needs first