The Ring of Fire

Many of us have heard of the catchy term: ᖇIᑎG Oᖴ ᖴIᖇE. For those of us who don’t know, this happens when the baby’s head is crowning during a vaginal birth. As this happens nerves in the perineum, ᑭEᒪᐯIᔕ ᗩᑎᗪ ᐯᑌᒪᐯᗩ  are stimulated, from there signals are sent to the brain which tell the Pituitary gland to release a cocktail of necessary hormones for the success of mother and baby. Those hormones rush through the body and give the birthing person more energy to push the baby out and also a flood of oxytocin which is what will stimulate breast milk production and also inspire deep, deep bonding with their new baby.

When the birthing person is desensitized with an epidural or other pain drugs, these nerves are not stimulated in the same way and those signals are not sent to the brain - therefore what happens? Those intense bonding hormones are not released in the same way. Could this be what causes an inability for breastmilk to come down? Could this be one of the causes of postpartum depression? Or lack of desire to bond with the new baby?  Could this be what causes an extended period of pushing?

An undisturbed birth, meaning, no unnecessary interventions, could be what brings the most successful outcomes for mom and baby.