All About Your Hormones
Your Pregnancy|December 2019/January 2020
Pregnancy hormones have some unpleasant side effects: mood swings, your chest feels like it’s on fire, and your teenage pimples are back. But there are also some pleasant surprises to look out for, writes Shanda Luyt
Shanda Luyt
All About Your Hormones

EVEN BEFORE CONCEPTION, your hormones collaborate to create a favorable environment for your baby – and as soon as egg meets sperm, these chemical messengers go all out to ensure that the right things happen at the right time, so that your nine months run smoothly and healthily.

All these changes are the result of the more than 30 hormones coursing through your veins while you’re pregnant. You will certainly feel their effect, physically and emotionally.

The real job of these hormones is to ensure Mom and Baby’s health.

HCG: THE PREGNANCY ALARM

One of the first hormones to appear has the intimidatingly long name human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but it’s also commonly known as the pregnancy hormone. As it’s only present during pregnancy, this is the hormone the tests look out for. It presents in your blood and your urine. Whether you do a home test or have a blood test done at the doctor – if hCG is present, you’re pregnant! A few days after the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, the brand-new placenta starts producing hCG. The amount of hCG increases at an incredible rate and reaches a climax on day 70. Thereafter, it subsides, and the hormone keeps a low profile for the rest of your pregnancy.

The most important task of this hormone is to ensure the continued production of the steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone. Without it, your progesterone level will go down, and you’ll have your period again.

Denne historien er fra December 2019/January 2020-utgaven av Your Pregnancy.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2019/January 2020-utgaven av Your Pregnancy.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YOUR PREGNANCYSe alt
COVID & your child
Your Pregnancy

COVID & your child

Symptoms, treatment, vaccines and a rare condition called MIS-C is on our minds when it comes to The Virus these days.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
EYES WIDE OPEN!
Your Pregnancy

EYES WIDE OPEN!

Breastfeeding and night wakings? Experts shine a light on a possible connection.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
RAISING A BRAT? TIME FOR A RESET!
Your Pregnancy

RAISING A BRAT? TIME FOR A RESET!

It happens, even with the best of intentions. Sometimes we go overboard trying to show our love – and then things backfire.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Prioritise REST!
Your Pregnancy

Prioritise REST!

The fatigue of pregnancy serves to remind you exactly what miracle your body is performing, so it’s essential to listen to it. Here’s what you can do to get through these low times.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
CRYING CLUES
Your Pregnancy

CRYING CLUES

Discover the meaning behind your baby’s cries.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Pushing isn't all you need to do!
Your Pregnancy

Pushing isn't all you need to do!

There are four main factors that affect the length and intensity of labour. They are known as the four P’s and work together to make each woman’s labour unique.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
We're all NERVOUS about it!
Your Pregnancy

We're all NERVOUS about it!

Sure, it can seem scarier than labour, but with these simple tips to bathing your newborn, you’ll soon be a pro.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
FOUR-FOOTED FAMILY MEMBERS
Your Pregnancy

FOUR-FOOTED FAMILY MEMBERS

Your children and your pets – everything you’ll need to know to be a happy family.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Here's to HAPPIER beach days!
Your Pregnancy

Here's to HAPPIER beach days!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
TALK SO YOU'RE HEARD!
Your Pregnancy

TALK SO YOU'RE HEARD!

Feel like your child just doesn’t listen to you? There are some techniques you can use to improve your chances of getting through.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022