The chemical substances in our body that are either peptides or steroids or some other substances are the hormones that are released in the blood due to the actions of stimuli performed by us. These hormones play a very important role in the body by activating the various cells for performing the tasks in a better and an efficient manner.
A pregnant woman requires a good strength and a lot of energy for providing nourishment to her baby and also her own body. Besides good food that energizes the body cells, body hormones work immensely in building up a sound and safe environment for the baby in his mother’s womb.
Which hormones cause the change?
The various hormones that are found active during the pregnancy period of a mother are:
EFFECTS OF THE HORMONES ON BODY
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The hormone released in the early stage or say the first phase of pregnancy is HCG and it is responsible for production of progesterone and estrogen in the ovaries. The maturation of placenta makes the HCG to vanish and now it’s time for progesterone and estrogen to take over its place.
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It is always experienced that the breasts of the expectant mother get enlarged in their pregnancy time. The progesterone production is also stimulated by estrogen and apart from breast enlargement; estrogen also makes the mother’s womb stronger than ever for holding the baby for such a large span.
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Next are seen the changes due to progesterone in the body in which the risks of abortion are lowered as the placenta is made safe with the new lining formed around the womb to support it. Also the expectant woman experiences lowered needs to have sex due to this hormone.
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Prolactin is another very important hormone responsible for producing milk in the mother’s breast during and after the pregnancy period. The pituitary gland releases it in the body but estrogen and progesterone prevent the production of milk during this 9 months span, but they vanish at a considerable rate after the baby is born and Prolactin comes into a play, thereby producing milk for the new baby as a food for him.
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Relaxin squashes the different activities of womb such as contractions and movement and thus makes the delivery of baby an easy task. On the other hand Oxytoxin makes both men and women of a caring nature and during the labour pain, estrogen and prostaglandins are responsible for the contractions to be produced in the mother’s womb.
WHAT KIND OF CHANGES DOES A WOMAN UNDERGO?
A woman experiences social, emotional, physical and mental changes in this period. These common changes are:
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Considerable weight gain
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Skin darkening
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Dermal problems or rashes
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Mood swings
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Instability
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Increased respiration, increased temperatures and dehydration
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