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YOUR GO TO GUIDE FOR PREGNANCY HORMONES

YOUR GO TO GUIDE FOR PREGNANCY HORMONES

You might have not been so affected by rampaging chemicals like you are being affected now, so it makes sense to know and respect that chemical potion playing inside your body. Here are some important pregnancy hormones.

ESTROGEN:

It is continuously secreted along with progesterone throughout pregnancy. It is known to, develops ducts in milk glands during puberty. It Increases uterine contractions and the production of prostaglandins in the uterus.

PROGESTERONE:

It plays its role by sudden withdrawal during labor or end of pregnancy. But while in gestation, it does not allow uterine muscles to contract. It also plays an important part in the development of glandular tissue in mammary glands.

OXYTOCIN:

It causes contraction of uterine muscles during labor which helps in the expulsion of the fetus. Surprisingly, when the fetus moves, oxytocin is released even more leading to increased contraction which is technically called ‘positive feedback mechanism’

RELAXIN:

It is secreted from ovaries during initial periods of pregnancy. It is secreted in high amounts during labor. This hormone is known mostly for relaxing your muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints later in pregnancy in preparation for labor. It helps in preparing your breasts for milk production. It helps in the loosening of the cervix for dilation. It also inhibits progesterone (another hormone) which doesn’t let uterus contract.

PROSTAGLANDINS:

In recent times, the role of prostaglandins have been known to play a vital role in increasing uterine contraction at the time of labor.

CORTISOL:

It helps the mother to withstand stress during labor.

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin):

This kicks in as soon as egg meets sperm. Dangerously low levels of this hormone, especially in the first two months of pregnancy lead to its termination. It also suppresses your immune system to support your growing baby.

HPL (Human Placental Lactogen):

Human Placental Lactogen prepares your breasts to breastfeed. Along with the placental growth factor, it’s produced by the placenta to adjust your body’s metabolism to feed your baby. In some women, HPL and placental growth factors are thought to block insulin, resulting in gestational diabetes.

HCS (Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin):

Commonly called ‘placental lactogen’ which helps in enlarging and inducing milk-secreting glands. It also helps in increasing the amount of glucose and fats in maternal blood for the fetus.

PROLACTIN:

It is necessary for milk secretion and also in the growth of mammary glands. Its secretion starts increasing from 5th month of pregnancy and causes rapid division of milk-producing glandular cells.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone):

Follicle-stimulating hormone is the first in a cascade of hormones that’s necessary to launch your pregnancy and is present before you even conceive.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone):

Luteinizing hormone works in concert with FSH to orchestrate your menstrual cycle. Both FSH and LH are inactive during pregnancy itself.

Divya

M. Sc. Gold Medalist

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