Know the 6 Pregnancy Hormones and Factors That Cause Body Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones are crucial for expectant mothers, and some of these hormones are key indicators of whether a woman is pregnant or not. Many mothers may wonder when pregnancy hormones can be detected, how to test for them, when the levels of each hormone increase or decrease during pregnancy, and if hormone imbalances can affect the baby. Additionally, they may wonder what can be done to address hormone imbalances.

Pregnancy hormones are a group of hormones that directly affect pregnancy. The main hormones involved in pregnancy are estrogen and progesterone, which play a key role in the growth of the fetus and help adjust the mother's body to be suitable for carrying the baby. However, there are other important hormones necessary for pregnancy and fetal development. You can find the answers to which hormones these are in the next section.

1. Estrogen
   Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the body. It controls the female reproductive system. As women age, the production of this hormone decreases, and during menopause, estrogen levels are insufficient, leading to various symptoms.

Functions of Estrogen

• It regulates menstruation and menopause.

• It affects skin thickness, blood flow, collagen, and moisture.

• Estrogen acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart disease.

• It influences fat storage in the body. Imbalances can lead to increased fat storage in both men and women.

1. Progesterone
   Progesterone is another essential female hormone responsible for controlling ovulation and menstruation. It also regulates the basic functions of the body and the production of other hormones, directly affecting menstrual cycles and pregnancy.

Functions of Progesterone

• It increases blood flow to the uterus, making the lining thicker and stable for embryo implantation.

• During pregnancy, progesterone prevents the uterus from contracting, but near labor, it decreases, allowing the uterus to contract for childbirth.

• It helps the body adjust for the growing fetus, such as speeding up breathing to increase oxygen intake and making joints and ligaments more flexible to support physical changes.

1. hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
   hCG is the pregnancy hormone, produced by the placenta. It is present only during pregnancy, specifically from the cells of the placenta.

Functions of hCG

• It helps the embryo implant in the uterine wall.

• It stimulates the ovaries to produce other important hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

• hCG levels rise during pregnancy and are used in pregnancy tests, as it is found in both blood and urine.

Testing hCG Levels

• Qualitative hCG tests check if you are pregnant, and can detect pregnancy as early as 11 days after fertilization.

• Quantitative hCG tests measure the exact amount of hCG in the blood to assess whether it is higher or lower than normal, helping doctors diagnose potential issues during pregnancy.

1. hPL (Human Placental Lactogen)
   hPL is a hormone produced by the placenta, essential for fetal growth. It provides nutrients to the baby and stimulates the mother's mammary glands to prepare for breastfeeding.

2. Prolactin
   Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, responsible for stimulating the mammary glands to produce and release milk. It also helps regulate regular ovulation, ensuring menstrual cycles are normal.

3. Oxytocin
   Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, playing a role in controlling body functions. This hormone is more prominent in women, especially during labor, stimulating contractions to aid childbirth. After delivery, it helps with milk production, ensuring sufficient milk flow for breastfeeding.

1. Physical Changes

When pregnant, the body undergoes the following changes:

• Weight Gain: Throughout pregnancy, weight gradually increases, with an average gain of about 2 kg each month. By the end of the pregnancy, a weight gain of at least 10-12 kg is expected.

• Changes in Breasts and Nipples: The breasts become more sensitive to touch. The veins in the breasts expand, the nipples enlarge, and their color darkens. The breasts also enlarge to prepare for breastfeeding and milk production.

• Body Aches: During the 4th to 6th month of pregnancy, most mothers remain agile. However, some may experience discomfort, often in the form of pain, such as back pain. As the pregnancy progresses, back pain can become more pronounced due to the increased weight of the baby and uterus, which shifts the body’s balance, causing aches and muscle cramps.

• Leg Cramps and Hand Cramps: These often begin after 3 months of pregnancy, due to muscle fatigue or possible calcium deficiency. Drinking milk and consuming calcium-rich foods or supplements may help alleviate this.

• Swelling in Hands, Feet, and Ankles: Pregnancy hormones increase the amount of fluid in the body, leading to swelling, especially in the lower parts of the body, such as the hands, shins, and feet. The swelling tends to worsen as the pregnancy progresses.

• Frequent Urination: As the uterus expands, it presses against the bladder, reducing its capacity to hold urine. This can lead to urinary incontinence, with frequent and urgent need to urinate. Additionally, increased blood circulation in the pelvic area can also make you feel the need to urinate more frequently than usual.

2. Emotional Changes

During pregnancy, hormonal changes not only affect the body but also influence emotions. Mood swings can occur, and mothers may feel depressed or anxious about the physical changes, the baby, childbirth, and parenting.

In particular, during the first 1-3 months, hormonal and physical changes affect emotions, leading to irritability, anger, and feelings of confusion or sadness.

In the 6th-9th months of pregnancy, elevated levels of progesterone can cause the stomach and intestines to function poorly, leading to acid reflux and discomfort from the growing uterus pressing on the stomach. This may result in feelings of fullness and discomfort, as well as disrupted sleep due to strong fetal movements.

3. Morning Sickness

Morning sickness, including nausea and vomiting, is common in the first 1-3 months of pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Main symptoms include nausea, easy vomiting, dizziness, restlessness, and irritability.

Generally, morning sickness is considered normal. However, if the symptoms are severe enough to prevent eating or drinking, causing excessive weight loss, vomiting blood, fatigue, or sleep deprivation, it is important to consult a doctor as it may pose risks to the health of both the mother and the baby.

Estrogen Hormone (Estrogen)
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that plays a role in developing the female reproductive organs. It is primarily produced by the ovaries, but during pregnancy, this hormone is also produced by the placenta. This helps prepare the mother's body for pregnancy and supports the growth and development of the fetus.

In pregnant women, estrogen levels typically range from 2-30 pg/ml.

Progesterone Hormone (Progesterone)
Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy. It plays a crucial role in stimulating the uterine lining to thicken, allowing the fertilized egg to implant and grow into a fetus.

hCG Hormone (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
The pregnancy hormone is produced by cells in the placenta. This hormone is only present during pregnancy, as its key component comes from the cells of the fetus's placenta.

hCG levels can be detected approximately 11 days after fertilization. The hormone levels double every 3 days and peak between the 8th and 11th week of pregnancy. After that, the levels decrease and stabilize throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

HPL Hormone (Human Placental Lactogen)
HPL is a hormone related to gestational diabetes, which occurs in about 1-14% of pregnancies. This hormone begins to be produced around the 12th week of pregnancy. It helps break down fat to increase fatty acids in the mother's and fetus's blood. It also inhibits the transport of glucose into the mother's cells, reduces glucose synthesis from other foods, and stimulates changes in the breasts to prepare for increased milk production.

Medical conditions that affect the thyroid and adrenal glands can also impact hormone balance. The thyroid plays a crucial role in pregnancy and is one of the largest causes of hormonal imbalance in women. Another condition is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), which causes irregular periods and infertility due to multiple cysts in the ovaries.

Other causes of hormonal imbalance during pregnancy include:

• Maternal weight

• Diabetes

• Multiple pregnancies (twins)

• uE3 (Unconjugated estriol): Pregnant women typically have rising levels of uE3, which is considered normal. However, if the uE3 level is lower than normal, it may indicate a higher risk for mothers carrying a baby with Down syndrome.

When hormone levels are imbalanced, it can lead to various abnormalities or symptoms in the body, such as:

• Low hCG Levels: If the hCG level is below the standard, it is important to consult a doctor immediately, as it may indicate a miscarriage, a non-viable pregnancy, or an ectopic pregnancy.

• High hCG Levels: If a test shows that hCG levels are higher than normal, you should consult a doctor promptly, as it could indicate a multiple pregnancy (twins) or a molar pregnancy (abnormal growth of the placenta).

• Low Progesterone Levels: This is very dangerous and can lead to pregnancy failure, also known as a miscarriage. However, if the doctor finds low progesterone levels, they may prescribe hormone supplements, which could be in the form of tablets, suppositories, or injections, to help sustain the pregnancy and prevent miscarriage.

• High Estrogen Levels: Estrogen is an important hormone for women, but excessively high levels can lead to easy fat accumulation, contributing to obesity. It can also cause mood swings and increase the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer. Additionally, high estrogen levels may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, where fat can block blood vessels, leading to heart disease or stroke, which can be life-threatening.

When women have lower-than-normal levels of female hormones, it can significantly affect mood, skin, and overall health, especially causing premature wrinkles, hair loss, and irregular periods, as well as irritability. However, female hormones can be naturally increased by consuming certain foods and fruits, such as:

• Coconut Water: Coconut water contains high levels of estrogen, which helps in boosting collagen and elastin production in the skin. This helps tighten the skin and delay the appearance of wrinkles effectively. Additionally, it aids in detoxifying the body through a process similar to detoxification.

• Sesame Seeds: A highly nutritious grain, sesame contains high levels of phytoestrogens. It is also rich in fiber, iron, and magnesium, which are essential for a woman's body. Regular consumption of sesame seeds can also help with weight loss, promoting a slimmer figure.

• Tofu: Tofu contains isoflavones, another form of estrogen, which helps balance estrogen hormone levels in the body. It also provides excellent benefits for skin and overall health and is high in protein, comparable to that of meat.

• Grapes: Grapes are rich in resveratrol and vitamin C. This substance acts similarly to estrogen, helping to balance hormones and nourish the skin, making it appear brighter and firmer.

• Prunes: In addition to being high in phytoestrogens, prunes are packed with fiber, which aids in digestion. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, contributing to overall health and balance.