Pregnancy Hormones Are Evil. Here’s Why.

Is your pregnancy harrowed by minor setbacks that you did not anticipate? Well, do not worry about it because certain discomforts and difficulties are normal when you further your steps towards motherhood. When you are expecting, your body will go through several phases that will not be as warm and fuzzy.

In fact, your body and mind will be affected by unfamiliar changes that will bring you long days of discomfort. The most prominent one being an increase in the production of hormones that help nurture the child you’re carrying, but also make you uneasy.

Is this even normal? Are you going crazy and helpless?

Yes, physiological and emotional changes are normal during pregnancy. And no, you are not going crazy. The path to motherhood involves weird, unlikeable phases owing to the hormonal changes.

Pregnancy hormones, albeit necessary for a successful pregnancy, can result in nausea, mood swings, uncontrollable appetite, bloating, swelling, pigmentation, abnormal hair loss or growth and lethargy. Your pregnancy journey will not be an easy one to take. However, you can prepare yourself to experience a better pregnancy if you know what causes these intrusive changes.

Here is a note on the hormones that are responsible for the discomforts you experience during pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG). An increase in the levels of this hormone is believed to wreak havoc in your otherwise peaceful body, causing irritable nausea and vomiting, prominently during your first trimester. Your bladder becomes a lot more sensitive than usual, which means you’re likely to make more frequent trips to the toilet. Regardless, this hormone is much needed as it protects the fetus by preparing the womb for it. It raises the production of other necessary hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen. This hormone is responsible for your insatiable and eccentric appetite. It can prompt your skin to develop pigmentation and blemishes that are blatantly disliked and unwelcome by most of us. However, in some cases, estrogen is responsible for the infamous ‘pregnancy glow’. As uncomfortable as its side effects are, this hormone is extremely crucial for the development of the fetus. It ensures the growth and organ development of the unborn child by stimulating its adrenal gland. Estrogen also prepares your uterus by enhancing it.

Progesterone. Your body can rapidly swell, develop gastric problems and dizziness (due to low blood pressure) without your permission because of this hormone. As it relaxes your muscle during your first trimester, your digestive system slows down accordingly. The number of calories you burn will reduce drastically, leading to unwanted flab and retention of fluids which cause pins and needles that most pregnant women experience.

This hormone also causes abnormal hair growth in unwanted areas and hair loss in some cases. However, progesterone also prepares your body for an easier birthing process. It relaxes your uterus muscles, helps the growth of breast tissue for breastfeeding, and contributes to the general preservation of a healthy pregnancy. Without an adequate level of progesterone, miscarriages are prone to happen as well.

Relaxin. This hormone tortures you with aches in the back, shoulders and hips, unstable footing and a general tendency to be clumsier than usual. This mostly happens after the second trimester. You are more likely to be accident prone because your ligaments are stretching, adding to the already existing discomforts of pregnancy.

However, relaxin increases the elasticity of the joints, relaxes blood vessels for better blood flow, stretches the rib cage for easier childbearing and prevents contractions that can cause premature birth. This hormone prepares you for a more comfortable, smoother childbirth.

Is it possible to deal with the torments of pregnancy hormones?

Yes, it is. Most of the difficulties mentioned above can be managed with care. Here are a few tips to help alleviate your prenatal burdens.

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Consult your physician and try your best to follow his/her directions. Nutrients and exercise will help you to stay physically fit and progress while keeping up with biological changes.
Sleep well. It is vital for you to receive the amount of rest and sleep you need. So, try your best to maintain a proper sleeping schedule.
Take help from your family or friends. If you find yourself lacking in patience and energy more than usual, seek the help and support of your partner, family, and close friends. This will give you either company or free time, allowing you much-needed attention or solitude.
Enjoy your leisure time. You can pass your time by delving into self-help books or indulging in your dose of humorous books or movies. It will alleviate your mood and motivate you as well.

Having a baby is a life-changing experience. So do not fret about your changing body, energetic outbursts or lack of it, urges and your emotional roller coaster, which are natural responses to the rapid rise of progesterone and estrogen levels. Just remember that these hormones, which may seem like they’re evil, are necessary for your and your baby’s well-being. With this in mind, you will have a better understanding of the experience and be accepting of it as well.

Have a safe and sound pregnancy.

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