Evolution has so designed that the spontaneous delivery in human beings also needs the assistance of a third person. ( it may not not necessarily be a doctor always.) Separate hands are required to cut the natal cord, clean the face and nose of the baby, turn it and put it on mother’s breast for its first feed. The Sapien mother in a lithotomy posture is totally helpless to do this alone.
Have you ever seen any animal engaging a Dai or a Trained Birth Attendant during its child birth ?
Birds and elephants do not need a midwife to assist during delivery.
Take the example of our nearest cousin – the monkey.
In a monkey, the face of the newborn automatically comes closer to the breast of mother. This is called the Occiput Posterior postion. This is normal in monkeys. But If this occurs during child birth in humans, it ends up in a lot of complications. Again the limbs of the newborn monkey are mature enough at birth so that the monkey baby can climb for its first breastfeed immediately after birth.
Monkey’s don’t need a midwife. But Humans need.
Infanticide in animals is quite common.
A male Gorilla instinctively kills any offspring that it has not sired. Such infanticide is quite common in the animal kingdom. Homo Sapiens are different. They need help from other women during the child birth and also for their survival throughout existence.
This special handicap, so unique to Sapiens has forced man to be a social animal. There is a stronger social bonding in sapiens than animals.
Molecule of Love
In course of evolution, this medical necessity has forged nine amino acids in nature into a magic molecule called *molecule of Love*. Just nine amino acids. Hence it is called a nonapeptide.
Oxytocin surges in mother’s breast when she hears the cry of her baby, her milk is let down. The milk let down reflex. This bond is crucial for the survival of the infant.
But what does this oxytocin do in male persons ?
Today, we know that Oxytocin is released during all positive social interactions such as love and affection. It is the keystone for long term relationship, empathy, generosity and yes *Altruism*. It plays a crucial part in establishing social bonds facilitating formation of larger human societies and cooperations and social connections.
Our elegant social clubs, colourful Social media, Instagram and Twitter handles all are simply extensions of this medical necessity. We owe their popularity to this tiny molecule comprising of only nine amino acids, Oxytocin the molecule of Love.
Dr Ramakanta's Ideas 