Early pregnancy is a time of big changes in your body. You may feel moody or find your moods change suddenly and without warning. There is good reason for this. Major hormonal changes are happening in your body to support your baby. These changes begin before you even know you are pregnant.
Hormonal changes don’t just affect your moods. They can cause physical symptoms as well. You may experience morning sickness, headache and fatigue. Many of the common discomforts of the first trimester are due to changing hormone levels.
Hormones sustain the baby in early pregnancy. They also help develop the placenta, which forms in the early months of pregnancy. The placenta will nourish your baby throughout the rest of the pregnancy.
Human Chorionic Gonodotropin or HCG is the hormone that it detected by early pregnancy tests. This hormone maintains the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum supports the baby until the placenta takes over.
Progesterone is another hormone found in early pregnancy. Progesterone thickens the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. This hormone helps the newly fertilized egg implant in the lining f the uterus. Progesterone is first produced by the corpus luteum and later by the placenta. It also plays a role in preparing the breast glands for making milk later to nourish your baby.
Estrogens play an important role in pregnancy as well. These hormones increase dramatically during pregnancy. They encourage the growth of breast tissue and uterine growth.
Relaxin is found in early pregnancy. It relaxes the uterus and keeps it smooth and calm. Later, relaxin softens the cervix in preparation for child birth.
Human Placental Lactogen supports the growth of breast tissue throughout the pregnancy. It is also believed to regulate the metabolism of the pregnant woman.
Understanding the hormonal changes in pregnancy may not help your mood changes or physical symptoms, but it can help. Knowing why you feel the way you do can help you cope with the discomforts of early pregnancy. Remind yourself that these changes are necessary to grow a healthy, strong newborn.