Natural and synthetic oxytocin during childbirth and breastfeeding
Katalin Varga1, Balázs Bálint2
11 Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem, Pedagógiai és Pszichológiai Kar, Pszichológiai Intézet Budapest, Izabella u. 46., 1064 Magyarország.
The aim of this study is to provide an overview about the role of oxytocin in childbirth and breastfeeding, based on the review of studies on oxytocin. It highlights the relationship between physiological (peripheral) effects and central, psycho-affective effects. It also summarizes the known consequences of various interventions that modify the natural (endogenous) oxytocin action during childbirth and breastfeeding. Suggestions are made on how to support the endogenous oxytocin system by as few interventions as possible.
The aim of this study is to provide an overview about the role of oxytocin in childbirth and breastfeeding, based on the review of studies on oxytocin. It highlights the relationship between physiological (peripheral) effects and central, psycho-affective effects. It also summarizes the known consequences of various interventions that modify the natural (endogenous) oxytocin action during childbirth and breastfeeding. Suggestions are made on how to support the endogenous oxytocin system by as few interventions as possible.
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