If a woman is admitted to hospital for giving birth, which hormone is helping her in the delivery of her baby and releasing of milk? A. Vasopressin B. Aldosterone C. Progesterone D. Oxytocin
Answer (1)
The correct answer is D. Oxytocin.
Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a significant role during childbirth and in the postpartum period. Here’s how it functions:
During childbirth: Oxytocin stimulates the uterine muscles to contract. These contractions help to push the baby down the birth canal during delivery. This is often referred to as its role in facilitating labor.
Post-delivery: After the baby is born, oxytocin helps to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size, preventing excessive bleeding.
Milk release: Oxytocin also is crucial for breastfeeding. It triggers the milk ejection reflex, also known as the let-down reflex. This reflex causes the milk stored in the mammary glands to be delivered to the nipple, making it accessible to the infant during nursing.
Thus, oxytocin is vital both for the process of delivery and in helping a mother nourish her baby through breastfeeding.
