title: Effects of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding at birth on the incidence of PPH: A physiologically based theory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of optimising maternal/baby psychophysiology has been integrated into contemporary midwifery theories but not in the detail required to really understand the underpinning biological basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The functioning of the autonomic nervous system, as it relates to the uterus is reviewed. The physiology of myometrial cell contraction and relaxation is outlined. The main focus is on the factors that affect the availability and uptake of oxytocin and adrenaline/noradrenaline in the myometrial cells. These are the two key neuro-hormones, active in the 3rd and 4th stages of labour, that affect uterine contraction and retraction and therefore determine whether the woman will have an atonic PPH or not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The discussion explains and predicts the physiological functioning of the uterus during the 3rd and 4th stages of labour when skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding occurs and when it does not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This biologically based theory hypothesises that to achieve and maintain eutony and eulochia, midwives and birthing women should ensure early, prolonged and undisturbed skin-to-skin contact for mother and baby at birth including easy access for spontaneous breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross University, Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saxton
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross University, Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: kathleen.fahy@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fahy
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross University, Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hastie
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D008880:Midwifery; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009769:Object Attachment; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010120:Oxytocics; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D010121:Oxytocin; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Labour, third stage; Oxytocin; PPH; Physiology; Uterus