This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Published on November 24, 2019, a study highlights the crucial role of hormones in a woman's body during pregnancy.
The human body undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, primarily due to the secretion and fluctuation of various hormones. These hormones play a vital role in ensuring a normal and safe pregnancy journey throughout the nine-month period.
One of the primary hormones produced during pregnancy is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG is produced by the placenta after implantation and is responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum, which continues to produce essential hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
hCG also prevents the production of another egg after pregnancy, preparing the woman's body for the baby. However, rising levels of hCG can cause morning sickness, a common symptom experienced by many pregnant women.
Another significant hormone produced during pregnancy is progesterone. Progesterone plays a vital role in keeping the body's immune system aware of the foreign body (foetus) growing during pregnancy and also keeps the uterus relaxed and assists the uterine wall to thicken.
Progesterone has several effects on the human body during pregnancy, including hair growth, breast development, and breastfeeding. It also makes the hair grow faster than usual and can cause hair to appear in unusual areas like the tummy and around the areola.
Estrogen, produced by the placenta later in pregnancy, ensures the uterine wall is thick enough for the foetus and maintains blood circulation. It also assists in the production of other key pregnancy hormones and instigates growth of the foetus, development of limbs, and organs.
Some of the effects of estrogen on the woman include darkening of the skin, with most women noticing their areola growing darker and the black line that runs down their belly also growing darker. The good news is that all these changes are reversible approximately six weeks after childbirth.
Human placental lactogen (hPL) is another hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. hPL provides the foetus with a healthy environment to grow and provides nutrition. It also stimulates milk glands in preparation for the breastfeeding process.
hPL helps the body build resistance to the hormone insulin during pregnancy, allowing the availability of glucose, which provides nutrition to the foetus. However, the presence of this hormone can result in gestational diabetes, making it essential to monitor sugar levels throughout pregnancy.
It is advisable to eat healthy foods to maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular exercises, and constantly hydrate to prevent blood sugar levels from rising.
