Overview
Oxytocin is a hormone released from the pituitary gland in the brain. During pregnancy, this hormone causes labor contractions to start. It also is released when a woman's breasts are stimulated by suckling or pumping, causing milk to move from the ducts and out the tiny holes in the nipple. This is called the let-down reflex. In the first few days after delivery, oxytocin also causes uterine contractions. They help shrink the uterus back to the size it was before pregnancy.
Credits
Current as of: April 30, 2024