After class on Tuesday, I wanted to find out more information on oxytocin and what exactly its affects are. I found this article http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071015110059.htm that focused on oxytocin and how it can be a predictor of what kind of a bond that a mother and her child will have.
As defined by http://www.hon.ch/Dossier/MotherChild/preg_changes/hormones.html "Oxytocin seems to be involved in reproductive behaviour in both men and women, and apparently triggers "caring" behaviour. It is also the hormone which allows contractions of the womb during pregnancy and labour . Contractions felt during breast feeding are also due to oxytocin. Also used to induce labour . "
The article discussed how oxytocin plays a huge role in the bonds that mothers have with their offspring. Animals that have lower levels of this hormone are actually more distant with their offspring and do not lick or self-groom themselves as much as others.
A few psychologists decided to study humans and the affects of oxytocin on their behaviors. Mothers showed a greater bond with their child if they had hgher levels of oxytocin during their first trimester of pregnancy. Also, what I found most interesting was that the mothers who had high levels throughout the pregnancy and the month after the birth, showed more caring tendencies to the child than others. They thought about the child more, checked on them more, and sang to them and bathed them in a more nurturing way. Overall, they cared more for the child's safety and well-being.
I thought that the article was interesting because it fascinates me that the amount of a hormone in your body can determine how much you will bond with your child. Also, it got me thinking about how there are so many mothers out there that are not close with their newborn, whether it's because of an unwanted pregnancy or other issues. Is it possible to give these mothers high doses of oxytocin during their first trimester in order to create a stonger bond with the child in the end?- Just a thought
Overall, I found it interesting how hormones affect or behaviors in so many different ways.
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