Hormones During Pregnancy
Pregnancy always comes with so many changes to the body, one of which is the production of Alice’s first hormones, the one that matters the most is called human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG. HCG is produced by the early-formed placenta and is the first hormone produced after the embryo is implanted within the wall of the uterus. The main purpose of hCG is to preserve the corpus luteum. corpus luteum is the control endocrine that is formed within the ovary after a woman ovulates. It is the one that produces the hormone called progesterone which is essential to the maintaining the beginning stages of pregnancy.
1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Of significant importance during the development of a foetus, one of the first hormones is the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). It is the first hormone which is created from patral tissue the moment the embryo implants into the uterus. The primary role of hCG is to preserve the corpus luteum, the temporary endocrine structure formed in the ovary luteinized after ovulation. Which in turn, she is the one which produces the progesterone which is vital to sustaining the early stages of pregnancy.
HCG is detected in blood or urine after implantation, which is why the pregnancy test shows a positive result. hCG strives to dominate in the blood stream during the early pregnancy stage. The peak is reached by the end of the 8th to 11th week of pregnancy. Thereafter, the value starts to decline slowly, which is associated with the time the placenta starts synthesizing hormones._
2. Progesterone
Progesterone is the second essential pregnancy hormone. Its secretion begins from the corpus luteum and shifts to the placenta late in pregnancy. Progesterone functions by maintaining the environment favorable for the fetus through:
- Relaxing the uterus: It suppresses uterine contractions, avoiding premature labor.
- Stimulating the thickening of the uterine lining: This gives the embryo somewhere to implant and grow.
- Immune system support: It renders the body tolerant of the fetus’s foreign DNA and does not induce an immune response.
Progesterone is also responsible for some of the body changes in the mother, such as the development of breast tissue for milk production and the alteration of the digestive system, hence causing constipation.
3. Estrogen
A group of hormones vital to pregnancy is called Estrogen. Early during pregnancy it is mainly secreted by the corpus luteum. Afterwards, however, the placenta assumes the production of estrogen, and particularly estriol.
Estrogen is involved in many processes, including:
- Stimulating uterine growth: Estrogen promotes the growth of the uterus so that it may enlarge to accommodate the growing fetus.
- Promoting increased blood supply: Estrogen causes the blood vessels to dilate, ensuring normal oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus and the placenta.
- Breast development: Estrogen makes the milk ducts develop in preparation for breastfeeding.
- Regulation of other hormones: Estrogen also controls the secretion of progesterone and other hormones that are required for pregnancy.
By pregnancy, the estrogen levels are significantly higher to ready the body for labor and delivery.
4. Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)
Human placental lactogen (HPL) or human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS) is another placental hormone. It plays a very crucial role to prepare the body of the mother for milk production and to alter maternal metabolism in a way that the fetus gets adequate nutrition.
Some of the major actions of hPL are:
Maintenance of the maternal glucose level: hPL makes the mother less sensitive to insulin, and hence more glucose is routed to the fetus.
Breast development: It stimulates alveolar cell proliferation in breasts for lactation.
Change in fat metabolism: hPL stimulates lipolysis (breakdown of fats) so that the mother will be able to maintain an adequate energy reserve during pregnancy and lactation.
These functions ensure that the fetus is provided with nutrients needed for growth and, in the process, ready the mother for energy needs during pregnancy and lactation.
5. Relaxin
Relaxin is a hormone produced by the ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy. Relaxin’s major function is to relax the muscles of the body, ligaments, and joints to accommodate the growing fetus and prepare the body for labor.Relaxin helps in the following ways:
Softening the cervix: Relaxin softens and opens up the cervix as labor approaches to allow birth to take place.
Relaxing the pelvic ligaments: This loosens the pelvis during delivery, making it easier for the baby to pass through.
Easing joint pressure: Relaxin also affects the joints, especially in the hips, lower back, and knees, and makes them more flexible.
However, this relaxation of ligaments also leads to joint laxity, which is the cause of the pain experienced by some pregnant women in their joints.
6. Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland that primarily regulates milk production in breasts. Prolactin levels rise tremendously during pregnancy for lactation preparation. Prolactin stimulates mammary gland development and conditions breasts to secrete milk after childbirth.
Nevertheless, the function of prolactin does not stop at lactation. It aids in:
Regulation of the immune system: Prolactin also plays a role in the regulation of the immune system, which is crucial to prevent rejection of the fetus during pregnancy.
Metabolic changes: Prolactin may also help in modifying the mother’s metabolism such that there is sufficient energy store for lactation.
While prolactin prepares the body to lactate, its levels tend to decrease significantly following child birth unless the mother is lactating.
7. Oxytocin
Oxytocin is also called the “love hormone” because it has bonding and social functions. Oxytocin does have significant functions during pregnancy and giving birth:
Labor induction: Oxytocin induces the release of uterine contractions that are required during labor. During opening of the cervix, oxytocin levels are increased, leading to more intense and more frequent contractions.
Milk ejection: During lactation postpartum, oxytocin induces the milk ejection reflex of breastfeeding. It induces release and contraction of milk from the ducts of the breast.
Emotional bonding: Oxytocin causes mother-infant bonding, and it is a contributing element towards maternal care.
This hormone is important for labor and postpartum and bonding and lactation.
8. Cortisol
Cortisol, also referred to as the “stress hormone,” plays a significant role in pregnancy. Stress might just be what its name appears to suggest, but cortisol’s primary function during pregnancy is to help regulate the body’s metabolism, immune system, and response to stress. Cortisol helps during pregnancy by:
Regulation of mother’s metabolism: Cortisol ensures the mother has proper energy reserves, particularly during stress or exercise.
Maintenance of fetal growth: Cortisol is implicated in fetal development, particularly the development of the lungs and the production of surfactant, which is necessary for the fetus’s capability to breathe upon delivery.
Regulation of the immune system: Cortisol controls the immune system to the extent that it does not go into overdrive and harm the fetus.
Cortisol will rise in pregnancy but will normally be controlled and kept in balance to meet the requirements of both baby and mother.
9. Thyroid Hormones
T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) hormones of the thyroid are required to control the metabolism. In pregnancy, the thyroid has a priceless function of maintaining the body’s increased requirement for metabolism and fetal development.
Metabolic rate: Pregnancy raises the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of the body that requires more thyroid hormone to attain energy balance.
Development of fetus: Thyroid hormones have a significant role in the fetal brain development, particularly at the beginning of the first trimester when the fetus still greatly depends upon maternal thyroid hormone stores.
Thyroid gland enlargement in pregnancy, and any alterations in the thyroid hormone need to be closely observed so that there is maximum maternal and fetal well-being.
Conclusion
The hormonal changes during pregnancy enter very deep and play a pivotal role in the pregnancy and delivery occurring naturally. Each influences the other so that fetal development is supported, the mother’s body readied for giving birth, and processes like lactation secured post-delivery. From hCG signaling the beginning of pregnancy to oxytocin enhancing labor, all the hormones play a contributing role. An understanding of these hormonal changes takes a great deal of the way in explaining the maternity as well as psychological changes which sweep over an expectant woman and emphasizes the delicate mechanism in keeping mother and foetus alive during this remarkable phase of life.
