The Effect of Oxytocin and Endorphin Massage to Uterine Involution in Post-Partum Mothers: A Literature Review

Abstract

Post-partum is the period during which the internal and external reproduction organs will gradually return to their pre-pregnancy state. Uterine involution or uterine contraction is a process in which the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state weighing about 60 grams. The process of uterine involution is influenced by uterine contractions which are stimulated by the oxytocin hormone, a process which can be facilitated by a combination of oxytocin and endorphin massage. With the release of endorphins, the mother will feel more comfortable and the oxytocin hormone can be stimulated, so that uterine contractions can work normally and increase the process of uterine involution. This study involves a literature review which aimed to summarize the results of studies which explain that the effect of oxytocin and endorphin massage to uterine involution in postpartum. The data was collected from Pubmed and Google Scholar databases with these keywords: combination of oxytocin and endorphine massage; uterine involution; and maternal postpartum. Only 3 journals had the required inclusion criteria. The results showed that the combination of oxytocin massage and endorphin massage was effective in reducing the height of uterine fun in post-partum mothers. The combination of oxytocin massage and endorphin massage can be developed for increasing uteri involution.
 
 Keywords: Combination, oxytocin and endorphin massage, uterine involution, postpartum