For proper development of the fetus and preparing the body for childbirth, the gestation process is accompanied by a whole series of physiological mechanisms, mainly There are a series of bodily and hormonal changes in pregnant people
These changes result in the appearance of some somewhat unexpected conditions that frequently occur during the course of pregnancy. The appearance of spots, fluid retention accompanied by swelling, numbness in the legs, emotionality and lack of concentration are some examples.
Specifically, the main responsible for all the aforementioned manifestations are hormones. This powerful cocktail of chemical messengers causes many of the changes that occur in the body during the nine months of gestation.
But, hormones and their balance are essential for the regulation of the gestation process and its stages; They prepare the uterus for implantation and growth of the fetus, make the mammary glands produce milk and allow the formation of the baby’s bones, among other important functions.
Hormones affect growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, and reproduction. In this article we will talk about the main hormones involved in pregnancy and childbirth, explaining in detail their functions in the pregnancy process.
The correct balance of hormones is essential for a successful pregnancy. Hormones act as chemical messengers in the body, sending messages and feedback responses between different tissues and organs. They are capable of intervening in the functions of other cells.
The hormones travel through the bloodstream, and bind to proteins on cell membranes called receptors In response, the target tissue or organ changes its function to maintain the pregnancy. Initially, the ovaries and then the placenta are the main producers of pregnancy-related hormones. Hormones are essential to create and maintain the proper conditions necessary for the gestation process.
Throughout the nine months of pregnancy and childbirth, different hormones intervene, the best known are the so-called sex hormones: progesterone and estrogen. However, pregnancy is a much more complex process at an endocrinological level, where many more hormones are involved that make the correct development of the fetus possible and prepare the body for childbirth.
Next WE WILL SEE the main hormones that have their own function before, during and after pregnancy.
1. Estrogen
Estrogen is one of the main feminization hormones; It helps with sexual development, including breast growth, and initiates and regulates a woman’s menstrual cycle. It also helps maintain bone health and control cholesterol levels.
estrogen It is produced by the ovaries and then by the placenta, and is responsible for the growth of the uterus Other of its main functions are the maintenance of the lining of the uterus, the regulation of other key hormones and the control of the development of the organs of the fetus. When it’s time to breastfeed, estrogen promotes the growth of breast tissue and helps milk flow.
2. Progesterone
Progesterone is produced in the ovaries, 15 days after the start of the period, after ovulation. Mainly, it helps regulate the menstrual cycle and, along with estrogen, is part of the so-called female hormones.
progesterone It is activated shortly after ovulation to help the uterine membrane with implantation of the egg, in the event that fertilization has occurred. The hormones progesterone and relaxin can cause some gastrointestinal problems, such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation and bloating.
Combined with relaxin, progesterone helps soften ligaments and cartilage and relaxes joints in preparation for childbirth. Swelling and bleeding gums, as well as excessive sweating, can be caused by high levels of progesterone.
3. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
FSH is produced by the pituitary gland found in the brain and goes to the ovaries to produce eggs and estrogen.
FSH is the first of a series of hormones necessary to start the pregnancy process, even before it starts. FSH stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries, thereby increasing the production of estrogen. Increased estrogen levels signal the body to increase production of another hormone, leading to ovulation.
4. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Luteinizing hormone is also produced by the pituitary gland and works together with the hormone FSH in coordination of the menstrual cycle Luteinizing hormone levels increase just before ovulation and are responsible for the release of an egg from the ovary, making possible fertilization.
Hormones can influence and be influenced. While FSH stimulates estrogen production, estrogen causes LH to rupture the follicle and release the egg. After the release of the oocyte, the corpus luteum is created, which produces estrogen and progesterone. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum decomposes in approximately 14 days at which point LH hormone levels decrease and your period begins.
If the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the corpus luteum continues to produce the appropriate hormones, including progesterone, to mature the uterus and nourish the developing fetus.
5. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is only produced during pregnancy.
On the other hand, human chorionic gonadotropin increases the production of estrogen and progesterone necessary for pregnancy.
HCG is the chemical used in pregnancy tests At the beginning of pregnancy, HCG levels are quite low, but soon they begin to increase considerably; They double every two days, peak between weeks 7 and 12, and fall again after three months. Next, the placenta is primarily responsible for producing estrogen and progesterone, although chorionic gonadotropin is still present. In fact, this hormone affects the immune system, making pregnant people more susceptible to some infectious diseases, such as colds and flu.
6. Prolactin
Prolactin, like the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone, is produced by the pituitary gland. In its name there is the word “lact” which refers to its main role, which is to allow breastfeeding
The main function of prolactin is to increase the size and volume of the breasts and produce the milk necessary to feed the newborn in the first months of life. Prolactin also causes the adrenal glands to cause hair to grow in unexpected places, such as the abdomen and face, but this hair usually disappears when levels drop, usually six months after giving birth.
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7. Placental growth factor (PlGF)
During pregnancy there is a considerable increase in blood volume, between 40% and 45% more than normal More blood is needed to nourish the developing fetus and also to prepare the body for the loss that occurs during childbirth.
Placental growth factor is necessary to promote the growth of blood vessels, which allow more blood to be transported.
An insufficient amount of this pregnancy hormone may cause blood vessels in the placenta to become smaller instead of wider, which can lead to high blood pressure and possible preeclampsia; Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition that can lead to serious, and even fatal, complications for both the mother and the fetus if not treated in time.
Fortunately, medicine is making progress in treating the problem early, and new blood and urine tests are helping to measure placental growth factor for early detection.
8. Human placental lactogen
Human placental lactogen (hpl) is also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin. This hormone is only present during pregnancy and its blood levels are proportional to the growth of the fetus and placenta. Its main function has to do with milk production
Placental growth factor is produced by the placenta, and helps prepare the breasts for breastfeeding by adjusting the body’s metabolism to feed the baby. It helps produce colostrum, which is a substance rich in antibodies and is the first milk produced by the mammary glands.
Some studies suggest that hpl and placental growth factor are responsible for gestational diabetes that some people suffer from during pregnancy.
9. Relaxin
Relaxin is a hormone that is crucial in the female reproductive process. Its levels increase after ovulation and help prepare the uterine wall for implantation of the egg If pregnancy does not occur that month, relaxin levels drop again until the next menstrual cycle.
During pregnancy, relaxin performs different tasks, but mainly prepares the body for childbirth. First of all, it helps relax the bones, joints, ligaments and muscles of a woman’s pelvis. This is done to facilitate labor and birth. Besides, relaxin also lengthens and softens the cervix to help with delivery.
10. Oxytocin
The hypothalamus is responsible for producing oxytocin, which is important for pregnancy and fundamentally for childbirth. Oxytocin is present throughout the entire pregnancy process, but It is especially known for causing muscular contractions of the uterus that allow delivery If labor is too slow, the synthetic version of oxytocin may be given to speed up labor. After giving birth, oxytocin helps the uterus regain its shape and also moves milk to the breasts.
