Pregnancy hormones play an important role in the body of a woman as she changes throughout the course of nine months.

Pregnancy hormones are responsible for the many changes, both physical and emotional, in a woman’s body such as mood swings, grumpiness, constipation, food cravings, extra sleep, bloating, and blemishes.

Pregnant women may view pregnancy hormones as enemies or the culprits in their sufferings but these hormones are vital for the normal and healthy development of the baby in the womb.

The pregnancy hormones that every woman should know in order to understand the different changes happening in their bodies are:

Endorphins – these hormones will be produced throughout the different stages of pregnancy to counter pain and stress, especially during childbirth. The levels of endorphin will drop after the mother delivered the child.

Estrogens – these hormones are produced in the ovaries of the woman before getting pregnant and in the placenta during pregnancy. Other roles played by estrogens include stimulating the womb to get ready in receiving a fertilized egg, stimulating the breast to produce milk and at the same time gets the nipple enlarged in preparation for breastfeeding. The level of estrogen dramatically drops after childbirth.

Human Chorionic Gonadtrophins (hCG) – these hormones are released when a fertilized egg reaches the uterine lining. Unlike the rest of the pregnancy hormones, hCG is particularly only present during pregnancy. It is the considered to be the main reason for discomforts in pregnant women such as morning sickness and fatigue. The hCG supports pregnancy in its early days by stimulating the ovaries to release progesterone that results in the cessation of the menstrual cycle during pregnancy.

Melanocytes – these hormones cause pigmentation and the many changes in pregnant women skin coloration also known as linea nigra, cholasma, and darkened and brown nipples. The pigmentations usually disappear after childbirth.

Oxytocins – these hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. They activate Braxton Hicks contractions as well as labor contractions. The milk glands are stimulated by oxytocins to produce milk which is known as the milk ejection reflex. Oxytocins are also known as cuddle hormones since they are released in response to pleasure contact like cuddling the baby or having sex.

Progesterones – these pregnancy hormones are produced in the ovaries and placenta of a pregnant woman. They stimulate the uterine lining to become thick during the menstrual cycle in anticipation of receiving a fertilized egg.

During pregnancy progesterones assist placental functioning and suppress uterine contraction to avoid miscarriage. Body processes that are influenced by progesterones during pregnancy include regulation of body temperature, production of breast milk and dilation of blood vessels.

Heartburn and constipation may be experienced by a pregnant woman because the level of progesterones is high that it relaxes the muscles in the uterus as well as the smooth muscles of the bladder, bowels and esophagus. Progesterones also soften the cartilage in the body during pregnancy that can result to pain in the pubic bone.

Relaxins – these hormones are responsible for the softening and lengthening of ligaments and tissues to allow for the easier passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Knowing the effects of these pregnancy hormones will greatly help every woman together with her partner to cope up with all the changes and discomfort of pregnancy and at the same time appreciate the important role of each pregnancy hormones in all aspect of pregnancy.