What are they exactly and what do they do is the question
on the minds of many a pregnant woman especially when
most of the pregnancy symptoms they feel hinge on
these hormones. Many of these hormones are produced
by the placenta which is the organ attached to the
uterus, mainly so that your pregnancy goes smoothly.
Baby gets its nourishment from this organ and you
get your hormones. Once the placenta is expelled from
your body, these hormones either dwindle or make an
exit
•
HCG or human chorionic gonadotrophin
is nicknamed the "thin blue line" hormone and rightfully
so because in urine, the presence of HCG triggers
a positive result when testing for pregnancy. There
is also a possible association between high levels
of HCG with nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy;
nothing in the affirmative but HCG is a possible suspect
for morning sickness. This hormone is also responsible
for triggering the ovaries into producing the hormone
progesterone, which amongst its many functions is
responsible for the cessation of monthly periods during
the pregnancy tenure.
• The hormones responsible for milk production
are called
human placental lactogen or HPL,
prolactin, oestrogen, and progesterone. HPL is responsible
for those oversized breasts and the secretion of colostrums
or premilk which may start to leak from your breasts
as early as the fifth month and is produced in proper
right after delivery during the initial days.
•
Relaxin is the hormone responsible
for making ligaments and tissues go soft and become
more elastic; this provides increased flexibility
to the joints of the pelvis and back. This comes in
handy especially during delivery. However on the flipside
it is also the cause of the 'waddle' in your walk
and the pains of later pregnancy.
•
Discoloration during pregnancy
is attributed to Melanocyte stimulating hormone or
MSH; in the later part of pregnancy, high levels of
MSH causes nipples to darken, dark patches on the
face and the appearance of the dark vertical line
on your abdomen called linea nigra, which literally
means black line.
•
Oxytocin stimulates Braxton
Hicks - the practice contractions of the uterus; in
fact oxytocin (the synthetic version) drips are often
administered to induce labor and to expel the placenta
after the birth of baby. Oxytocin contractions are
stronger and longer than natural contractions.
•
Progesterone is one of the two important
hormones that are required in maintaining pregnancy;
it is produced in the ovaries even before you become
pregnant but during pregnancy, the placenta takes
over the production. The production increases by ten
fold. It prevents miscarriage by controlling the uterine
muscles. It controls the muscles in the bladder, intestines,
and bowel so that they are more flexible despite the
weight of the growing uterus. It also increases body
temperature, breathing rate, dilates the blood vessels
(this reduces blood pressure thereby making you feel
faint and nauseas) and helps in lactation. Progesterone
levels drop once you have delivered and continue to
drop for a few days.
• The other key hormone is
oestrogen;
this too is first produced by the ovaries and later
on by the placenta. The production levels increase
many times over during the pregnancy months to facilitate
in the smooth running of this phase. Oestrogen takes
care of all aspects of pregnancy: strengthening the
uterus, stimulating the mammary glands into producing
milk, softening the body tissues. Excess oestrogen
has been linked to nausea in the first 12 weeks but
nothing conclusive to this speculation yet. High levels
of oestrogen trickles down immediately after baby
is born and continues to drop for a few days.
• Finally
endorphins (morphine-like
hormones) produced by the brain during pregnancy and
especially during labor time, replicate the effects
of a sedative; this hormone helps in toning down pain
and stress. After birth, the levels drop fast and
sharp. This hormone has also been held responsible
for those low feelings of baby blues and the more
lasting feelings of depression.
