Pregnancy is one of a woman’s life’s most exciting and transformative phases. From the moment you find out you’re expecting, it feels like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster—full of joy, excitement, and a bit of anxiety too. This is very common and millions of women experience these each year.
Even for a woman who has had children before, it is useful to know these changes so that the new phase in the life of a woman and the child can proceed as calmly as possible. Okay then, let’s analyse this and check how it works and what you can expect during these hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy
Hormones are the chemical substances that the body uses to address a range of activities in the body. These hormonal changes during pregnancy get produced in huge quantities during pregnancy acting in support of the growing foetus as well as in preparation for childbirth. During pregnancy, the hormonal levels themselves influence one’s mood or energy levels, digestion, or immune reactions. Understanding the role of hormones is crucial for managing conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorders effectively. Here’s a closer look at some of the major hormones involved and how they contribute to your pregnancy:
1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG
One of the first hormones involved is hCG, also known as Human gravidity gonadotropin – or “pregnancy hormone.” It is synthesised at the placenta after the zygote has implanted in the endometrium of the uterus. This hormone is the one most pregnancy tests look for and is one involved in assisting the sustaining of other hormones later in pregnancy.
2. Progesterone
Any changes in Progesterone content are capable of hurting a healthy pregnancy. In women, this hormone aids in the production of the endometrial, which is the coating on the uterus ready to support the young embryo. It also suppresses preterm labour of the uterus. Some of the common signs when progesterone levels are high include tiredness, swelling of the breast, bloating and even constipation.
Furthermore, hormonal change in pregnancy causes mood swings because progesterone alters the physiology of neurotransmitters in your brain. No wonder you end up feeling emotionally slightly off balance at that stage of the relationship then.
3. Estrogen
Estrogen is another hormone that rises during pregnancy and contributes to various changes in your body. It’s responsible for the development of the placenta and helps regulate the levels of other key hormones. Estrogen is also responsible for getting your breasts ready for breastfeeding is another hormone that tends to cause your breasts to enlarge and become very sensitive.
You may also see some skin changes due to the increase in estrogen level. The “pregnancy glow” is associated with this hormone but it can turn into hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and acne.
4. Relaxin
As the name suggests, it’s a hormone that appears to make your joints and ligaments more relaxed, especially around the pelvic region to allow for childbirth. Even though it is helpful from this perspective, it can be rather painful – especially in your lower back and hips. Do not overexert yourself at the gym because pregnancy hormones make your joints easily injured.
5. Oxytocin
Some people refer to this hormone as the love hormone because it begins the contractions during delivery and later plays a critical role in the creation of love between the mother and the child while breastfeeding. More oxytocin present in the pregnant woman makes her more love-affectionate and nurturing at the same time it plays a role in the body changes your body undergoes during childbirth.
Hormonal Changes by Trimester
Hormones are a beautiful part of pregnancy and they change every trimester, both your body and your emotions. Here’s what to expect:
First Trimester: Flu-like Symptoms and High Velocities
Most hormonal changes during pregnancy are evident during the first trimester of pregnancy. At this stage, hCG, progesterone and oestrogen levels rise to support your body for the developing baby. You may experience:
- Morning sickness: Because of high hCG levels, many women have nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning.
- Mood swings: However, progesterone increases feelings of emotional or anxious tension, for the abrupt change of mood.
- Fatigue: Progesterone helps maintain pregnancy and while doing this, it can make you feel very tired even if you had a good night’s sleep.
Second Trimester: The “Golden Period”
In the second trimester, you are likely to find that some of the symptoms that characterised the first trimester are gone or have improved. This is normally described as the second trimester of pregnancy, the time you start feeling more energised, and the nausea decreases. However, hormonal changes during pregnancy are still present. You may notice:
- Increased appetite: When your energy levels come back, you will probably feel like eating more than usual.
- Skin changes: While giving skin a healthy natural glow, high levels of oestrogen will cause various changes in the skin pigmentation commonly known as ‘pregnancy mask’ or melasma.
- Body aches: While your joints are being eased by relaxin, you can begin to experience discomfort in your lower back or hips.
Third Trimester: Preparing for Birth
During your pregnancy, you go through hormonal fluctuations pregnancy other hormones are released in anticipation of the birthing process. At this stage, you might experience:
- Braxton Hicks contractions: Here are some “practice” contractions that make your body ready for labour, and these have heightened sensitivity to oxytocin.
- Swelling: Improved blood circulation and hormones may result in water accumulation in your feet, hands or even face, swelling.
- Nesting instinct: The third trimester is characterised by many women suddenly wishing to clean or rearrange things in their homes; which is a behaviour caused by increased oxytocin levels.
How to Cope with Hormonal Changes
The principle of this work is to explain how to keep calm and handle hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy. Achieving good hormonal balance in preparation for pregnancy might be a challenge, but this is not at all unattainable. Here are a few tips to help you cope:
- Stay active: A 10-15 min walk, prenatal yoga, or some other light exercise will assist you in improving your mood and reducing the pain.
- Get enough rest: It is also common to feel very tired most of the time, especially for pregnant women, thus, try and sleep more if possible in a shorter interval.
- Eat a balanced diet: A balanced diet will help in regulating these flu cures of energy which will in turn help check the mood swings.
- Practise relaxation techniques: Stress and anxiety can be managed by drug control including meditation and deep breathing and through doing things like doing mindfulness exercises.
conclusion
It is important to tune in to the hormonal change in pregnancy is an amazing transitional phase. These changes – physical as well as emotional – are perfectly natural; merely having guidance as to what to anticipate can facilitate the process. Your body is preparing to sustain the growth and development of a new human being so if you follow the right guidelines, you are on the right pedestal to what should be the most exciting journey of your life.
For any concerns or questions about your pregnancy journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Endocrinologist Specialist in Ahmedabad Dr Moxit Shah, a trusted expert in prenatal and maternal care, who can provide the necessary guidance and support during this critical time.
