Pregnancy Hormones And What They Do To You

We attribute many typical behavioural patterns of a pregnant woman as ‘hormonal'. But do you really know your pregnancy hormones and what they can do to you? The effects of pregnancy hormones on your body may surprise your spouse, your co-workers and even yourself. You are this strong and rational working woman and you suddenly cannot suppress the urge to cry. Pregnancy hormones and crying without any apparent reason are linked.

Your pregnancy hormones and what they do to you are very scientific. You need to understand the effects of these pregnancy hormones on your body. This is because, more than others, you will have to deal with the emotions that these pregnancy hormones bring in you.

PREGNANCY MYTH- DEBUNKED

Just don't be too hard on yourself because being hormonal is not in your hands. When your body is going through the changes of hormonal levels during pregnancy, all you can do is ride out the waves of emotions that you feel. If you have a clear idea of how these pregnancy hormones and your emotions are linked, you will be in a better position to understand them.

Here is complete guide to your pregnancy hormones and what they do to you.

Nausea

Morning sickness is very common in the first trimester. This is totally due to the soaring levels of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), the same hormone that you test for in the pregnancy test kit. So if you can't keep your food down, it is because of hCG.

Headaches

Do you get those nagging headaches which come and go like surges of emotions. Headaches during pregnancy are common because of high levels of estrogen throughout.

Feeling Horny

Do you feel horny all the time during your pregnancy? This can be very disturbing because your enlarged form does not allow you to make love comfortably. But high levels of estrogen will make your vagina wet and you will want sexual activity more than ever.

Hurting Boobs

Most pregnant women complain that their breasts hurt and are tender all the time. This is primarily due to pro-lactin, a hormone that helps to develop your mammary glands for lactation or breastfeeding.

Backaches That Refuse To Heal

Some women are plagued by backaches even before they put on weight. This is due to the hormone relaxin that makes your joints loose so that your bones can move to accommodate the baby. The aches and pains in your body are all due to this hormone.

Hot Flashes

Most pregnant women complain that they feel inexplicably hot all the time. This is because your main pregnancy hormone, progesterone, increases your body temperature. This is to maintain a cozy warm womb for your baby.

Indigestion And Acidity

You just don't seem to be able to keep your food down. Not that you are nauseous but whatever you eat causes acidity. Progesterone is the culprit again. An increased level of progesterone causes acid reflux and makes it difficult to digest food.

Clumsy And Prone To Fall

You may have been the most sure footed woman once, but now, you are totally clumsy and you keep having situations where people have to hold you while you cross the road. Relaxin is the hormone that plays havoc with your balance.

Nesting

You are the kind of woman who is not domestic and maternal in the least. But pregnancy gives you the ‘nesting' instinct. You make your home ready for the baby and feel ‘maternal'. This is due to oxytoxin, a hormone that helps you bond with the baby in your womb.

Brain Fog

You cannot seem to remember where you kept your keys or may forget important work appointments. This pregnancy brain fog is also caused by a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

Constipation And Piles

Most women think that the iron supplements they are taking is making them constipated. However, progesterone also has some part to play in making you strain on the toilet seat.