By What role do hormones play during pregnancy? What is their relationship with attachment behaviors to the baby after the birth process? In this article we will answer these questions.
Hormones during pregnancy play a fundamental role in the psychological task that prepares a woman to become a mother . One of the most obvious changes is that the woman will no longer be able to think only of herself, but of a “we.” Therefore, the role of hormones during pregnancy will be fundamental for the development of attachment behaviors towards the future child.
Oxytocin is one of the hormones during pregnancy that is key to childbirth and to maintaining the woman’s attachment behavior towards the baby. In addition to the role of oxytocin and other hormones during pregnancy, there is the perception of fetal movements and certain neurological changes in the woman’s brain.
Changes and adjustments in pregnancy
From childhood, we project fears and desires into the future. Children often play at being parents, and these games take on certain meanings in adulthood. Adults who are going to be parents will have to make a series of changes in their lifestyles to accommodate a new member.
Hormones during pregnancy have a lot to do with the behaviors that strengthen the bond of attachment. A relationship that begins when the woman finds out that she is pregnant. The news can be received with certain ambivalent feelings such as happiness at being a mother or insecurity, fear or rejection .
New media, such as ultrasound and dynamic ultrasound studies, give a new dimension to this projected reality; these devices allow us to see the movements of the fetus, its face and its body in three dimensions.
The transition to motherhood
During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is normal for women to feel tired, sleepy and nauseous, not to mention morning sickness. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) may be responsible for contributing to this nausea and vomiting in the first trimester . It is only formed in the body after the placenta is built and is usually very concentrated in blood and urine in the first trimester in women.
In many cultural groups, it is not considered appropriate to announce the pregnancy until the third month, since the first trimester is the most risky. Therefore, in many cases it is not until the second trimester that the pregnant woman allows herself to fantasize and think about the baby, beginning the first behaviors of touching her belly, possible names, etc.
Changes in the maternal brain during pregnancy
As pregnancy progresses, a woman’s brain undergoes changes. These changes are due to hormones during pregnancy that modify certain brain processes and facilitate the development of maternal behavior and the bond of attachment between the mother and the future baby. All these changes are intended to produce in the mother a great sensitivity that allows her to promote a safe environment for the baby.
For the development of attachment behaviors towards the baby, the maternal brain undergoes neuronal changes during pregnancy. This is the example of the development of neuronal networks in some specific areas such as the hippocampus or the olfactory bulb. Areas that are involved in the smell of the baby and its emotional association.
The role of hormones during pregnancy
Towards the end of pregnancy, a woman is normally fully aware of her impending role as a mother. This leads to the influence of the following hormones during pregnancy, with the aim of preparing physically and psychologically for the future birth and for the development of the role as a future mother.
The hormones during pregnancy that are key to attachment processes and maternal behavior could be summarized as follows:
Prolactin
It prepares the mammary alveoli for milk production. It reduces the stress response and stimulates the development and maintenance of maternal behavior . Prolactin also stimulates appetite to provide the fetus with nutrients and extra energy for the mother, as well as energy storage in the form of fat for future lactation.
Progesterone and steroid hormones
They inhibit the stress response to prevent premature birth by preventing oxytocin from being released before delivery. In addition, progesterone and steroid hormones prepare neural circuits for the development and expression of maternal behavior after delivery.
Oxytocin and vasopressin
They are responsible for the development of caring behavior towards the baby. Oxytocin reduces anxiety, the tendency to obsession and reactivity to stress . During pregnancy, it is important that oxytocin levels remain at rest, since a high peak of oxytocin can trigger premature labor.
Contact with the baby after birth produces a release of oxytocin, which increases the mother’s attachment behavior towards the baby.
Pregnancy is therefore not only a matter of physical changes, but also of certain hormonal changes. Hormones during pregnancy imply certain emotional adjustments in women in order to participate in their own process, favouring, as mentioned above, attachment behaviours and the development of basic parenting systems for the protection of the baby.