How Are the Female Hormones Affected During Pregnancy?
It is not surprising that pregnancy brings about significant changes in a woman’s body, and hormones are no exception to the rule. Pregnancy affects nearly every aspect of a woman’s physiology, including her reproductive system, cardiovascular system, kidneys, muscles, digestive system, and more. Pregnancy also causes complex hormonal changes which affect women in different ways depending on their own bodies. You should do an Private Ultrasound Scan Cardiff for your unborn baby’s well-being.
The process evolves over 40 weeks since the baby is conceived. It typically starts with menstrual cycle irregularities followed by nausea, weight gain, backaches, mood swings, cravings for certain foods, etc. The hormonal balance change, particularly when there is an embryo inside the uterus. Since this period deals with developing life within the female body until birth occurs, it makes sense that the female hormones are affected to a great degree.
The placenta is an important organ that forms during pregnancy. It transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood supply to the baby through the umbilical cord. The placenta also transfers waste products to the mother via her bloodstream or to the outer world for disposal through breast milk.
Hormones play vital roles in reproduction, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, menopause, etc. For instance, estrogen and progesterone levels rise due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This causes thickening of the uterus lining and blood vessels so that nourishment can be easily transferred from mother to fetus and help with the development process. These two hormones also prepare women’s bodies for breastfeeding.
Estrogens, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin are the three hormones that regulate pregnancy. It also stimulates the secretion of some other hormones like a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and prolactin which affect metabolism, brain function, sleep patterns, heart rate, etc. The overproduction of these hormones may cause unpleasant symptoms during pregnancy. As an example, hyperthyroidism can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive perspiration, shortness of breath, insomnia, or fatigue. Prolactin is increased in pregnant women due to rising estrogenic levels. This causes lactation even if there is no childbirth. Increased levels of this hormone may affect the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Women who take drugs for Parkinson’s disease should monitor their prolactin levels due to this side effect.
After delivery, hormonal levels change rapidly as estrogens and progesterone decrease. This can lead to mood swings, sleep deprivation, sore nipples, etc. Taking birth control pills may help normalize hormonal changes after pregnancy. Do not forget to go through an Early Pregnancy Scan in Cardiff.