-- Posted by dunebug at 9:59 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 Mothers who give birth naturally are more responsive to the cry of their baby than those who choose to have a Caesarean, American research suggests. Brain scans on 12 new mothers soon after birth found more activity in areas linked to motivation and emotions in those who had a vaginal delivery. The Yale University team says differences in the hormones generated by birth could be the key. The women in this study were those who elected to have a Caesarean. The contractions which are an essential part of a natural birth trigger the release of the hormone oxytocin, which is thought to play a key role in shaping maternal behaviour. However, undergoing a Caesarean does not trigger the same release of hormones. The procedure has been linked to an increased risk of post-natal depression. The Yale team carried out brain scans on 12 women two to four weeks after they had given birth - known as the early postpartum period. Half had a Caesarean, the other half gave birth naturally. The differences in brain activity were found in regions that not only appeared to influence a mother's response to her child, but also to regulate her mood. Lead researcher Dr James Swain said the study, reported in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, might help provide a better understanding of the chemistry underpinning the attachment between a mother and her baby. "Our results support the theory that variations in delivery conditions such as with caesarean section, which alters the neurohormonal experiences of childbirth, might decrease the responsiveness of the human maternal brain in the early postpartum." Personality factors Professor James Walker, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "We have long recognised that people who have a caesarean section do sometimes have some problems bonding with their baby." However, Professor Walker said the reason for this was unclear. In some instances, it might be related to clinical difficulties which made a caesarean necessary in the first place. The latest study selected only women who opted for an elective Caesarean alongside the six who gave birth naturally, but Professor Walker said there might be specific personality characteristics within the former group which made maternal bonding more difficult. He said it was also possible that women who had a Caesarean were slightly disengaged from the birth process in comparison to those who went through a natural delivery. Professor Walker said there were no long-term studies assessing whether mothers who had a Caesarean had longer-term problems bonding their baby. "There is no doubt that many women who have a Caesarean turn out to be wonderful mothers," he said. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7594282.stm -- Posted by ATTI at 10:01 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 12 is not a large enough sample for a very accurate result. -- Posted by uwastedmyheart at 10:02 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 Old news. -- Posted by Coryboo at 10:04 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 Quote: from Atti at 10:01 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 12 is not a large enough sample for a very accurate result. ^^^^^^^^ I agree this -- Posted by dunebug at 10:05 pm on Sep. 5, 2008 It's definitely not for a comprehensive study but for the start of a study, it's interesting results that I hope they'll follow up on. -- Posted by Miss Prophetess at 10:59 pm on Sep. 6, 2008 Very interesting; hopefully they'll do a study with a larger amount of women next time. -- Posted by dunebug at 12:00 am on Sep. 7, 2008 I hope so, although I honestly think it's laughable how this is at all controversial. It's common sense to me that actually birthing your child might aid the bond, as opposed to being unconscious or drugged up and unable to even see them, aside from a quick like 1 minute peek, for hours after birth. Scientists have already proved through numerous studies that the more interventions in labor, the less nature kicks in, specifically in terms of oxytocin. -- Posted by Miss Prophetess at 12:05 am on Sep. 7, 2008 It does make more sense that the bond would be greater in a natural birth, but nowadays people need as much "evidence" as possible to believe something as fact. -- Posted by maggie666 at 3:33 pm on Jan. 4, 2009 i think that i would die if i had nathural birth too much pain for me -- Posted by Muneca at 5:27 pm on April 25, 2009 I'm planning on having a natural birth. -- Posted by kitKAT55 at 11:46 am on July 14, 2009 Quote: from Muneca at 8:27 pm on April 25, 2009 I'm planning on having a natural birth. same here