having a baby
The Wonder of Birth
Finally the long-awaited moment arrives. As a woman pushes her child out into the world, her body courses with oxytocin, the same hormone that produces orgasms during lovemaking. In addition, her body is flooded by morphine-like hormones, called endorphins, which help her relax and feel close to her baby. This is the beginning of the emotional bond a mother forges with her baby. This process is also aided by high levels of adrenaline that flood both a mother's and her baby's bodies at the time of delivery. These wonderful adrenal hormones not only help a mother to push and strain, they also cause her baby to be wide awake and alert at birth.
Why is this critical? According to French obstetrician Michel Odent, "Mothers are fascinated by the gaze of their newborn babies. It seems this eye-to-eye contact is an important feature of the beginning of the mother-baby relationship, which probably helps the release of the love hormone, oxytocin."
I get excited whenever I am around newborns; not only are they gorgeous, but they also give testimony to the very existence of God. Who can ever doubt the presence of a loving Father when holding a new baby, stroking his silky-soft skin and seeing his tiny but perfect fingers and toes? The Mastermind of the universe has orchestrated all of this. Birth is a beautiful experience.
Recently I visited a young friend in the hospital just two hours after she had given birth to her first baby and witnessed all of those hormones in action. After 14 hours of labor, this new mother was holding court to family and friends and proudly displaying her gorgeous new son. Expecting her to be exhausted, I saw that Leyla's eyes were bright and alive. She never took her eyes off her baby. When others held him, Leyla was a she-bear of protectiveness, commanding family members to wash their hands and sit down before they could touch her baby. I knew that she would soon collapse, but for those few marvelous hours Leyla was queen of all she surveyed. She was awash with strange and powerful feelings she could not possibly have anticipated. While important psychological work and physical exhaustion lay just ahead for Leyla, for the moment all was new and glorious. She had become a mother.
Background Information
Why Daddies Matter
Having a baby is one of the most demanding things a woman can do. Having the help of a husband is invaluable.
Congratulations! You're Gonna Be a Dad!
A pregnancy timeline can help Dad know what to expect and what to put on his calendar.
The Cost of Postponing Childbirth
There are many reasons to delay pregnancy, but having a baby later in life is not without risks.
The Psychological Side of Pregnancy
While a woman experiences radical physiological changes during the months before birth, every mother-to-be also undergoes profound psychological changes.
Two Parents, Two Gifts
The differences in men and women make an impact on parenting style — and on their children, too.
Questions and Answers
Our 3-year-old daughter was thrilled about having a new brother or sister. Now, however, she shows signs of jealousy. Please suggest some ways I can ease her through this period of adjustment.
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
Born too Soon
As with many instances of preterm labor, there was no reason, no explanation, for my wife's water breaking at 27 weeks.
Finding Value in the "Little Things"
Becoming a mother changed my ideas about significance in ways I'd never expected.
Vulnerability
The love a parent feels for her children is a great emotional risk but worth every fear.
Waking Up is Hard to Do
Then again, mostly everything is hard to do when you're pregnant.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Learning to Roll With Change
It's not the most fun you'll ever have, but the results are worth it.
Related Topics
Life Pressures: Working Moms, Stay-at-Home Moms
Relationships: Blended Families, Divorce, Parents and Adult Children, Caring for Elderly Parents
