Important Hormones During Pregnancy

When a person becomes pregnant, an incredible amount of changes occur in their body. A concentrated amount of chemicals go through their bodies during pregnancy, and everything from a blemish on their face to an emotional outburst can be pinned to the insane amount of hormones coursing through them. These hormones are vital during pregnancy, though. Hormones help the uterine lining become a soft and safe place for the embryo to develop. There are other hormones that will trigger the production of milk in the breasts. There are even hormones that aid in the baby’s bone form. All of that to say, some important hormones are needed during pregnancy.

Estrogen

One primary hormone that affects pregnancy is estrogen. This hormone is the primary female hormone that assists in a person’s sexual development. This includes breast growth and the regulation of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Estrogen is also one of the two main hormones that start a pregnancy. The levels of estrogen in the body aid in fertility. If estrogen levels are too low, then there is a risk of miscarriage, especially during the first trimester; the levels of estrogen should climb rapidly without it becoming estrogen dominance. Estrogen begins in the ovaries and then moves to the placenta. During pregnancy, it also helps regulate the uterine lining, the essential hormone to trigger the development of the baby’s organs.

Progesterone

The second primary hormone that affects pregnancy is progesterone. It is made in the ovaries after ovulation and aids in regulating menstrual cycles. 

In pregnancy, progesterone aids in preparing the uterine lining for implantation of the fertilized egg. Along with the hormone relaxin, progesterone helps soften ligaments and cartilage to prepare a person’s body for labor. 

There is also the chance that progesterone mixed with relaxin with cause gastrointestinal issues, such as heartburn, constipation, indigestion, and bloating.  

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH, is created by the brain’s pituitary gland. It guides the ovaries to develop eggs and estrogen. FHS also helps in controlling a person’s menstrual cycle. 

When it comes to pregnancy, FSH is present before conception occurs. It is the first flow of hormones necessary to start a pregnancy. FSH encourages the growth of eggs in the ovaries, which increases estrogen. When estrogen rises in the body there is an LH surge, resulting in ovulation and a chance of pregnancy.

Luteinizing Hormone

Another hormone made through the pituitary gland is the luteinizing hormone or LH. It works with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle. LH levels usually rise right before ovulation and trigger the egg’s release from the ovary. FSH is responsible for producing estrogen, whereas LH is responsible for bursting the follicle to free up an egg. Afterward, the post-ovulatory follicle makes the corpus luteum break down after fourteen days if pregnancy does not occur. Hormone levels then drop, and the menstrual cycle beings.

If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum continues to produce the right hormones to create a safe and nourishing environment in the uterus. However, if becoming pregnant is proving to be difficult, then the doctor will want to take a look at your LH levels. If they are higher than usual, then ovulation may be impacted, or there may be a hormonal imbalance.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

The human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone that is only produced during pregnancy. It aids in increasing the production of estrogen and progesterone. HCG is the hormone that appears when a pregnancy test is taken if it is positive. In the early stages of pregnancy, hCG is relatively low but will double every couple of days. After 7 to 12 weeks, it will hit its peak and then will decrease around the second trimester. Afterward, the placenta will make estrogen and progesterone. However, hCG is still present and will most likely begin affecting the immune system making the person more susceptible to colds or the flu.

Many other important hormones rise during pregnancy, and it may seem overwhelming to have so many of them, but they each play a crucial part in a safe pregnancy that results in a happy and healthy baby.