Know the Types of Pregnancy Hormones and Their Functions

Various pregnancy hormones can bring changes to the body to protect the fetus in the womb. There are pregnancy hormones that occur only during pregnancy, but there are also hormones that have been there before but the levels change in the body during pregnancy. Not only physical changes, various pregnancy hormones can cause emotional changes during pregnancy. These hormonal changes can even cause annoying symptoms during pregnancy. In certain cases, this pregnancy hormone can cause excessive vomiting during pregnancy.

Various Pregnancy Hormones

Here are some pregnancy hormones and hormones that change during pregnancy:

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone (hCG)

Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is a pregnancy hormone produced in the placenta. This hormone will help maintain pregnancy and fetal development in the womb. The hCG level can also be a marker of pregnancy as well as the health of the fetus contained. If the hCG level is low, there is a possibility you have an ectopic pregnancy, infant death, or gestational age younger than expected. Conversely, very high levels of hCG can be a sign of multiple pregnancy, Down Syndrome, molar pregnancy or gestational age that is older than expected. While the decrease in hCG levels abnormally, can be a sign that you are having a miscarriage.

• Human placental lactogen (hPL)

Human placental lactogen is produced by the placenta after 6 weeks of gestation. This hormone, also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin, has a role in preparing the nutrients needed by the fetus and stimulating the mammary glands in the breast until breastfeeding.

• Estrogen

Estrogen already exists in a woman's body before becoming pregnant. But during pregnancy, estrogen levels in a woman's body will increase significantly. Increased estrogen levels will cause nausea during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. While in the second trimester, the hormone estrogen contributes to the enlargement of milk ducts in the breast. Functions and effects of the hormone estrogen during pregnancy include:
- Improve the blood flow system or the formation of blood vessels.
- Helps provide the nutrients the fetus needs to develop.
- Supports fetal development.
- Causing changes in skin pigmentation, so some women experience a glowing face during pregnancy or known as pregnancy glow.


• Progesterone

Appear fine hairs on the breast or abdomen is one of the effects of changes in progesterone hormone levels during pregnancy. Dizziness due to low blood pressure, heartburn, nausea, and constipation are also felt to be another impact of an increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy. However, behind the various effects that are quite unpleasant, progesterone is one of the pregnancy hormones that are important for:
- Keeping the uterine muscles relaxed during pregnancy.
- Maintain the thickness of the uterine wall during the developing fetus.
- Maintain the immune system against the presence of the fetus in the body.


• Oxytocin and prolactin

The hormone oxytocin has a role in stimulating the flexibility of the cervix at the end of pregnancy, which is important for the preparation of labor. This hormone also helps stimulate the nipples to produce milk. While the prolactin hormone will increase as much as 10 to 20 times when a woman is pregnant. This increased hormone is useful in preparing breast tissue for breastfeeding by helping to produce abundant milk production.

Pregnancy hormones play a role in maintaining the health of the womb and the fetus, as well as various changes in a woman's body during pregnancy. But sometimes pregnancy hormones can also be formed when women experience fake pregnancy. If changes in the body due to pregnancy hormones are felt uncomfortable or very disturbing, you should consult an obstetrician to find out the cause and get treatment.