[Changes in urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline and plasma cortisol concentrations during labor and delivery]

Urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were determined at 38-41 wks of gestation, admission for the onset of labor, 4 hrs after admission and at the cervical dilatation of 8-10 cm, immediately after delivery and on the next morning. Both catecholamine concentrations rose remarkably at the dilatation of 8-10 cm and were found to be still high immediately after delivery. The rise in adrenaline concentrations was much greater than noradrenaline. On the morning after delivery, the adrenaline concentrations fell significantly but noradrenaline remained high. The time-course of urinary catecholamines was similar to that of plasma reported by others. Serum cortisol concentrations rose significantly during labor and delivery but returned to the concentrations of 38-41 wks of gestation by the next morning. The present time course of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol levels in urine or serum during labor, delivery and puerperium suggests that these hypersecretion may be due to emotional, physical and painful stress, respectively, considering literatures.