North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

Which hormone is responsible for the urge to push during labor?

1. Estrogen

2. Oxytocin

3. Progesterone

4. Prolactin

The correct answer is: Oxytocin

Oxytocin is the hormone that plays a crucial role in the urge to push during labor. It is often referred to as the "love hormone," but in the context of labor, its primary function is to stimulate uterine contractions. As labor progresses, oxytocin levels increase significantly, which not only enhances the strength and frequency of these contractions but also facilitates the baby's descent through the birth canal. The release of oxytocin promotes the urge to bear down, enabling the mother to participate actively in the delivery process. This hormonal trigger helps synchronize the mother's efforts with the contractions of the uterus, optimizing the efficiency of labor. Moreover, oxytocin is involved in several additional functions during childbirth, such as encouraging bonding and stimulating milk letdown postpartum. In contrast, while estrogen plays a supportive role in facilitating labor by promoting the responsiveness of uterine muscle cells, it is not the primary hormone for the pushing urge. Similarly, progesterone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy and does not induce contractions or the urge to push. Prolactin, on the other hand, is mainly involved in milk production and does not have a direct influence on labor dynamics. Therefore, the role of oxytocin is paramount in creating the physiological conditions necessary for the urge