Important role of oxytocin release during natural vaginal delivery for developing mother-infant bonding

At birth, a large amount of oxytocin (OT) is released into the systemic circulation in response to vaginal-cervical stimulation caused by the fetal body. Released OT induces uterine contractions during the labor, activating OT receptors on uterine smooth muscle cells. OT is also released within the brain and plays a pivotal role in initiating maternal behavior and mediating mother-infant bonding. However, there are serious concerns about the procedures of epidural anesthesia (EDA) and cesarean section (CS), in which hypothalamic OT release is impaired in the mothers. Early postpartum OT level decreased in EDA group, compared to non-EDA group. There was a negative correlation observed between OT levels and postpartum maternity blues in EDA group. Accumulated evidence suggests a long-term health risk of CS for the mothers as well as children. As OT dysregulation affects the brain development of the infant, CS is a risk factor for autism/ADHD in offspring compared with vaginal delivery (VD). Although synthetic OT infusion is frequently used in clinical settings for both inducing labor and augmenting labor progress, synthetic OT may downregulate OT receptors in the brain, which leads to impaired maternal behavior. To develop better mother-infant bonding before, during and after the delivery, it is crucial to consider how to maintain high OT levels. By incorporating several approaches (social support, acupuncture, massage, music therapy, meditation, etc.), promoting a supportive and nurturing environment can further enhance OT release and facilitate bonding between mothers and their newborns.