Physical and Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy. This is our Series on the changes that occur after pregnancy. Detailed information on these changes.
Physical and Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy Explained;
Physical and Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy: Physical changes
- Weight gain: There is some gain in weight from around 2.3 kg to over 45 kg as the enlarging uterus, a growing fetus, placenta, acquisition of fat and water retention, all contribute to this increase in weight.
- Varicose veins: These are bulging veins in your legs or vulva caused by the extra weight and pressure of pregnancy and certain hormones. They can ache and are pretty unattractive. Sitting with your legs up and support stockings can help
- Skin conditions: Hormonal changes during pregnancy usually cause skin changes. Some women get brownish or yellowish patches around their eyes and over the cheeks and nose, sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy”. The medical term for this is “chloasma.” Some women also get a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen called the “linea nigra.”
- Hair and nails: You may notice changes in the texture and growth of your hair and nails during pregnancy. Some women experience that both grow faster and are stronger; others report hair falling out and nails splitting. Most women will lose some hair after delivery. In time, your hair and nails will return to the way they were before the pregnancy.
- Stretch marks: These are red lines, usually on your belly, thighs, and breasts, caused by your body expanding in size in a very short time. Some skin types are more prone. There’s no 100% reliable way to prevent them, but creams and diet may help. They do fade a great deal over time with a good diet and exercise.
Physical and Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy: Hormonal changes
Hormones are chemicals that circulate in the blood and varied functions. Different hormones regulate body functions and carry messages from one part of the body to another. Hormonal changes during pregnancy are there to help regulate the many changes taking place to enable your baby to be born safely. These hormones are:
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): This is the key hormone that is produced by the placenta. HCG inhibits the ovaries from maturing an egg every month. Levels rise eight days after ovulation, peak at 60 to 90 days and then lower slightly, levelling off for the remainder of the pregnancy. When you do a pregnancy test, this is the hormone that is tested on the pregnancy test kit.
- Progesterone: In early pregnancy, this hormone is made by a cyst on the ovary called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until about 10 weeks when its production is taken over by the placenta. Progesterone keeps the uterus muscle relaxed and plays a role in the immune system helping the body tolerate foreign DNA (that is, the fetus). This hormone may also relax all smooth muscle in the body and this relaxation of the blood vessels throughout the body may prompt lower than normal blood pressure and occasionally dizziness, as well as heartburn, reflux, belching, nausea, vomiting, gas, and constipation. Progesterone can also increase hair growth; you may notice unwanted hair on your breasts and lower abdomen.
- Estrogen: This hormone is secreted by the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over. This pregnancy hormone plays a key role in the development of the fetus. Estrogen helps to stimulate hormone production in the fetus’s adrenal gland, it stimulates the growth of the adrenal gland, and it enhances the mother’s uterus, enabling it to respond to oxytocin. The elevated estrogen levels may also cause nausea, increased appetite, spider veins, and skin changes including changes in skin’s pigmentation.
- Oxytocin: This is the hormone that stretches the cervix and stimulates the nipples to produce milk. The uterus becomes very sensitive and responsive to oxytocin as you progress towards the end of pregnancy.
- Prolactin: This milk-producing hormone increases 10 to 20 times during pregnancy and has a relaxing effect. Prolactin prepares breast tissues for lactation and the release of milk.
- Relaxin: This hormone helps with loosening up the ligaments that hold the pelvic bones together and for relaxing the uterine muscle, both in expanding of the uterine wall and preparation for delivering your baby through the birth canal. This hormone may make you feel like your ligaments are ‘looser,’ including your shoulders, knees, hips, and ankles, which can result in aches, pain, inflammation, and even clumsy tendencies.
