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Vol 94, No 6 (2023)
Research paper
Published online: 2022-10-27
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Peripartum prolactin and cortisol level changes. A prospective pilot study

Katarzyna M. Wszolek12, Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska12, Malgorzata Piet32, Agata Tarka32, Marek Chuchracki4, Magdalena Muszynska2, Blazej Meczekalski25, Maciej Wilczak12
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2022.0125
·
Pubmed: 36378127
·
Ginekol Pol 2023;94(6):484-490.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
  2. Gynecology-Obstetrics Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland, Poland
  3. Facility of Practical Midwifery Sciences; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland, Poland
  4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University, Kalisz, Poland
  5. Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

open access

Vol 94, No 6 (2023)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2022-10-27

Abstract

Objectives: Although the role of prolactin and cortisol in the human lactation process seems to be undisputed, the changes in postpartum serum concentrations in mothers make data interpretation difficult. Material and methods: To determine the factors that possibly influence these hormones, we examined a group of patients who were admitted to the Gynecology-Obstetrics Clinical Hospital in Poznań for labor induction and/or in the active phase of the first labor period. The serum levels of cortisol and prolactin were assessed in these full-term pregnant women during admission to labor, in the third stage of labor, and on the second day postpartum. The prolactin and cortisol levels were also measured in the umbilical cord for the assessment of newborn babies. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between maternal age and the level of prolactin measured before childbirth and fluctuations in cortisol level with respect to labor duration. In addition, we observed a strong correlation between the level of prolactin assessed before childbirth and the pH and base excess of the umbilical cord artery. Most importantly, a correlation was noted between breastfeeding within 2 hours after the labor and the level of cortisol measured after childbirth. Conclusions: We observed a significant correlation between a summarized labor duration and maternal and umbilical cord cortisol levels measured right after the labor. The fact of breastfeeding within 2 hours after the labor strongly correlated with lower levels of maternal cortisol as well as a cortisol level in umbilical cord blood and it suggests that immediate initiation of breastfeeding reduces stress level for both, mother and newborn.

Abstract

Objectives: Although the role of prolactin and cortisol in the human lactation process seems to be undisputed, the changes in postpartum serum concentrations in mothers make data interpretation difficult. Material and methods: To determine the factors that possibly influence these hormones, we examined a group of patients who were admitted to the Gynecology-Obstetrics Clinical Hospital in Poznań for labor induction and/or in the active phase of the first labor period. The serum levels of cortisol and prolactin were assessed in these full-term pregnant women during admission to labor, in the third stage of labor, and on the second day postpartum. The prolactin and cortisol levels were also measured in the umbilical cord for the assessment of newborn babies. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between maternal age and the level of prolactin measured before childbirth and fluctuations in cortisol level with respect to labor duration. In addition, we observed a strong correlation between the level of prolactin assessed before childbirth and the pH and base excess of the umbilical cord artery. Most importantly, a correlation was noted between breastfeeding within 2 hours after the labor and the level of cortisol measured after childbirth. Conclusions: We observed a significant correlation between a summarized labor duration and maternal and umbilical cord cortisol levels measured right after the labor. The fact of breastfeeding within 2 hours after the labor strongly correlated with lower levels of maternal cortisol as well as a cortisol level in umbilical cord blood and it suggests that immediate initiation of breastfeeding reduces stress level for both, mother and newborn.

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Keywords

lactation; breastfeeding; prolactin; cortisol; skin-to-skin contact; augmentation of labor

About this article
Title

Peripartum prolactin and cortisol level changes. A prospective pilot study

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 94, No 6 (2023)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

484-490

Published online

2022-10-27

Page views

1547

Article views/downloads

476

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2022.0125

Pubmed

36378127

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2023;94(6):484-490.

Keywords

lactation
breastfeeding
prolactin
cortisol
skin-to-skin contact
augmentation of labor

Authors

Katarzyna M. Wszolek
Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska
Malgorzata Piet
Agata Tarka
Marek Chuchracki
Magdalena Muszynska
Blazej Meczekalski
Maciej Wilczak

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