Interactions and Redundancies
As I read the Buckley report, I was amazed at how one hormone very often promotes the release of another and at how the hormones work together to promote readiness for birth, progress and comfort in labor, efficient second stage, breastfeeding, and mother-infant bonding. Different hormones may have similar effects, such as oxytocin producing a "calm and connection” response and endorphins decreasing anxiety and relieving pain. Mother Nature has also created redundancies such as the oxytocin surge at the end of labor that promotes pushing and the birth of the baby (known as the Ferguson reflex) and the catecholamine surge (known as the fetal ejection that also occurs also at the end of labor to promote the birth of the baby.
Yes, the Physiology is complex, yet at the same time, perfectly designed to promote optimal outcomes for both mother and baby, both in the short term and in the long term.