PLASMA-CONCENTRATIONS OF BETA-ENDORPHIN AND ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE IN WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION

We studied plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and adren ocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) during dilation, expulsion and immediate puerperium in 47 primiparous women with an uneventful pregnancy and s pontaneous vaginal delivery. Twenty-five women had received childbirth preparation with the Lamaze method, and 22 had received no preparatio n. Mean concentrations of beta-EP from the beginning of labor until pu erperium were higher in women who had received preparation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. When behavior du ring labor was evaluated regardless of which group the patient was ass igned to, women whose behavior was unsatisfactory has significantly hi gher concentrations of ACTH at all times during childbirth. We discuss the role of childbirth preparation as a way to enhance beta-EP secret ion. Levels of ACTH, on the other hand, appear to be more closely rela ted with behavior during labor, regardless of whether the mother recei ved preparation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.