A stress hormone (part of the catecholamines family) – important in labour.
The mother stays alert (despite Endorphin induced introverted state) aware of any potential danger.
Important for baby – a late labour rise in Adrenalin helps them cope with the intense contractions before birth.
It preserves blood flow to the baby’s heart and brain and helps to clear the lungs of fluid, preparing them for the outside world.
Encourages a level of alertness and energy in the baby after birth, so they can initiate and take full advantage of their first feed.
The sharp drop in levels encouraged by skin to skin after the birth maximizes the efficiency of the contractions in expelling the placenta with minimal bleeding.
Conserves energy in the baby ensuring they don’t fall asleep before taking enough nourishment.
But too much Adrenalin can totally de-rail the whole labour process.
produced as an important element to our ‘fight or flight’ response, the essential part of our ability to survive in the face of danger.
If we are in a life-threatening situation, feeling loved up and floaty light isn’t going to be helpful.
If the mother feels threatened, frightened, exposed, anxious, cold or all the above in labour, Adrenalin will kick in, reducing the production of Oxytocin and Endorphins.
Too much Adrenalin in the context of birth is not going to be helpful.