Relaxin: Why this hormone is anything but chill
Relaxin is a hormone that plays a significant role during various stages of reproduction, including pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Relaxin is produced by your ovaries and the placenta when you are pregnant but produced mainly by the corpus luteum, in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. Relaxin levels rise to a peak typically at ovulation and then decline in the absence of pregnancy, resulting in your bleed. It’s all over the place and relax’s so many things in so many places that it is too busy to be this chill. Here's a breakdown of its functions during these stages:
1. Pre-Conception
Reproductive Readiness: In females, relaxin helps prepare the body for potential pregnancy. It aids in the implantation of the fertilized egg by facilitating changes in the uterine lining, making it more receptive to the little egg to snuggle in.
Sperm Motility and Function: In males, relaxin is present in seminal fluid and may aid sperm motility and function, thereby playing a role in fertilization. Thing strong swimmers.
2. Pregnancy
Softening of the Cervix and Ligaments: During pregnancy, relaxin levels rise significantly. One of its primary roles is to relax the ligaments in the pelvis and soften the cervix, preparing the body for childbirth. A woman’s pubic symphysis increases in width and mobility during pregnancy, reported to be around 3 mm of an increase in width (Becker et al, 2010).
Inhibition of Uterine Contractions: Relaxin helps to inhibit premature uterine contractions, which is crucial for maintaining pregnancy.
Vascular Adaptation: It promotes the growth of blood vessels, improving blood flow to the placenta and supporting fetal development. Yay! Circulation! Keeping the blood flowing freely, helps your ki or energy flowing too! So good for the baby to get all the nutritive blood.
Joint and Ligament Changes: The hormone contributes to the loosening of joints and ligaments, which can lead to increased flexibility but may also cause discomfort or pain due to the extra strain on these structures.
3. Birth
The ovaries and placenta produce relaxin, which helps the body stretch and prepare for delivery by loosening muscles, joints, and ligaments.
Allows for ample lubrication of the vaginal canal to help the baby to descend smoothly.
Promotes rupture of the membranes and the opening, and softening of the cervix and vagina to aid the process of giving birth.
Cervical Dilation and Birth Canal Preparation: Relaxin plays a key role in the final stages of pregnancy by promoting cervical dilation and facilitating the softening and widening of the birth path. This process is essential for allowing the baby to pass through during delivery.
Coordination with Other Hormones: It works in harmony with other hormones like oxytocin to ensure smooth labor and delivery.
4. Postpartum
Recovery and Healing: After childbirth, relaxin levels gradually decrease. However, the effects of the hormone, such as increased joint laxity, can persist for a short period. It continues to be in the bloodstream for 6 weeks postpartum but some studies say Relaxin can stay in the system for up to 6-12 months. This allows the body to recover and return to its pre-pregnancy state. Some cultures have ceremonies like the “closing of the bones” which is a practice originating in South America and Mexico that helps the mother feel supported and celebrated. It's a ceremony that honors the mother and marks the significant closure of the birthing body. Other traditions that work with the hormone is “Bengkung Belly Binding” which is a traditional practice in many eastern cultures, including Malaysia, that involves wrapping a mother's abdomen with cloth after childbirth.
Blood Pressure and Healing: This can influence blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels; and promoting the growth of new blood vessels; and is also an anti-inflammatory hormone so it aids in healing.
Breastfeeding: Although relaxin is not directly involved in milk production, it helps prepare the breasts by affecting the connective tissues, which can aid in the lactation process.
Relaxin's effects on the body are generally beneficial, but they can also contribute to common discomforts during pregnancy, such as back pain or pelvic instability. It can also cause carpal tunnel, and the dreaded “ Mom thumb” Aka De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Some women report that their hands and feet grow! It's also worth noting that the timing and levels of relaxin release can vary among individuals, influencing the extent of its effects that’s why people have such different experiences.
Thanks, Relaxin for keeping us so relaxed! (sometimes a little too much)
Much love and collective liberation,
Ailish
Want to learn more about your body-mind connection in the perinatal time? Take a class with me, come get a Reiki session, get some coaching, or schedule an “Ask Me Anything” call!
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