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 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) during dilation, expulsion and immediate puerperium in 47 primiparous women with an uneventful pregnancy and spontaneous vaginal delivery. Twenty-five women had received childbirth preparation with the Lamaze method, and 22 had received no preparation. Mean concentrations of beta-EP from the beginning of labor until puerperium were higher in women who had received preparation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. When behavior during labor was evaluated regardless of which group the patient was assigned to, women whose behavior was unsatisfactory has significantly higher concentrations of ACTH at all times during childbirth. We discuss the role of childbirth preparation as a way to enhance beta-EP secretion. Levels of ACTH, on the other hand, appear to be more closely related with behavior during labor, regardless of whether the mother received preparation.