Pregnancy Hormones - Effects During Each Trimester

What Are Pregnancy Hormones?

During pregnancy, the hormonal and physiological changes that come are unique. The correct balance of hormones is vital for a successful and healthy pregnancy. Hormones are the chemicals the body produces that are responsible for sending information and getting responses between different organs. Hormones circulate in the body via the blood and attach to the receptors proteins on the cells (like a hand fits a glove). The target organs modify their function to maintain the conditions for a successful pregnancy. The primary producers of pregnancy hormones are the ovaries and the placenta.

What Is the Effect of Pregnancy Hormones on the Female Body?

Pregnancy brings an array of changes to the body. There is a sudden and dramatic surge in the levels of various hormones. These hormonal changes are not only responsible for mood swings; they can also create the pregnancy glow, help in fetal development, and alter the physical activity of the female body,

Effects of Pregnancy Hormone During First Trimester- Progesterone and estrogen hormones (part of the female menstrual cycle) levels rise, and a new hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced. These hormones are responsible for.

• Constipation.

• Mood swings.

• Tender breasts.

• Stuffy nose.

• Urgent and frequent urge to urinate.

• Pregnancy-glow on the skin.

• Morning sickness.

• Thyroid problems.

Effects of Pregnancy Hormone During Second Trimester- It is considered the best trimester due to the negligible hormonal side effects. The following changes can be seen-

• Relaxed pelvic muscles.

• Back pain.

• Melasma (pregnancy mask).

• Rapid hair growth.

• Linea nigra (dark line on belly).

• Gestational diabetes.

Effects of Pregnancy Hormone During Third Trimester- The baby is growing very rapidly in this trimester, and so does the levels of hormones leading to body changes like-

• Swelling around ankles and feet.

• Acid reflux.

• Heartburn.

• Leaking milk from the breast.

Effects of Pregnancy Hormone During Postpartum Period- After delivery, the hormone levels drop and may cause the following results-

• Postpartum depression.

• Uterine cramps.

What Are the Various Types of Pregnancy Hormones?

All pregnancy hormones have their function during pregnancy, and they also help the body prepare for labor and delivery.

The following hormones are found in the female body before, during, and after the pregnancy-

Estrogen - It is the primary female hormone that contributes to sexual development in females, like the growth of breasts and the menstrual cycle. It helps to keep bones healthy and regulates cholesterol levels. The ovaries produce the estrogen hormone initially and later by the placenta; it allows the uterus to grow, maintain the uterine lining, regulate other hormones, and develop fetal organs. Estrogen also promotes breast tissue growth and milk flow during breastfeeding after delivery. Estrogen is also responsible for swollen mucous membranes, stuffy noses, blotchy skin, and hyperpigmentation like darker nipples, melasma, and brown patches on the nose, cheeks, and forehead.

Progesterone - This is a vital hormone that is produced shortly after ovulation. It helps in the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining. Progesterone can cause problems like swelling and bleeding in gums, sweaty skin, and skin breakouts. Progesterone and relaxin hormones can cause heartburn, constipation, indigestion, and bloating. These hormones also help soften the cartilage and ligaments and loosen the joints to prepare the mother's body for labor.

Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) - FSH is the first hormone necessary to launch the pregnancy and is present even before conception. This hormone stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries, which increases estrogen production. Increasing estrogen levels signal the body to produce a more luteinizing hormone (LH), thereby promoting ovulation and the potential for pregnancy.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) - The pituitary gland produces this hormone, which plays a vital role in women's sexual development and functioning. It helps regulate the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation).

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - This hormone increases the production of estrogen and progesterone. It is the hormone that helps confirm pregnancy (home pregnancy tests), as it is present only in pregnant women's urine. In early pregnancy, hCG levels are low, and then it starts to double every two days, peaking between 7 to 12 weeks and then falling back at the start of the second trimester. This hormone affects the immune system, sometimes making pregnant women more susceptible to colds and the flu.

Prolactin - Also known as the milk hormone. Its primary function is to enlarge the breasts and produce milk after delivery. Prolactin also sometimes affects the adrenal glands that trigger unexpected new hair growth (like belly and face), but this usually disappears postpartum.

1. Placenta Growth Factor- Deficiency of this hormone can cause blood vessels in the placenta to narrow, leading to high blood pressure and preeclampsia. Blood and urine tests can help measure the levels of placental growth factors for early detection and treatment.

2. Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)- Placenta produces this hormone to adjust the body's metabolism to feed the baby; it prepares the breasts to breastfeed and make colostrum (antibody-rich pre-milk that precedes actual breastmilk).

3. Relaxin- It helps to relax the muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints in the pelvis later in pregnancy to prepare the body for labor. It also helps to soften and lengthen the cervix.

4. Oxytocin- Oxytocin is a muscle-contracting hormone and is around throughout the pregnancy; it is mainly known for stimulating labor contractions. Synthetic oxytocin can be given to pregnant women to induce contractions during labor. After delivery, oxytocin helps shrink the uterus in size and move milk into the breast for breastfeeding.

5. Other Pregnancy Hormones- Few other hormones at work during pregnancy are as follows-

• Erythropoietin (regulates red blood cell production).

• Calcitonin (bone formation).

• Vasopressin.

• Thyroxine (interacts with growth hormones and stimulates fetal growth and development of the baby's central nervous system).

• Insulin.

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (contributes to stretch marks and swelling).

• Cortisol (fetal lung maturation).

• Endorphins (happy hormones).

Conclusion

Hormones are the chemicals that a pregnant woman's body produces to prepare the body physically and mentally for the baby. Their role is to create a suitable endometrial environment for implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. Successful pregnancy depends on an appropriate maternal immune response to the fetus. If hormone levels fluctuate, it can lead to various side effects in pregnant women. However, healthcare providers can help women to restore levels and cope with the side effects.