Pregnancy and the Birth for a First Time Mum. pregnancy | Page 3

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There are a number of hormones at play during pregnancy
and childbirth, as well as lactation. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is
the key placental hormones that maintains a pregnancy. It is the hormone that is
detected by a pregnancy test and occurs when implantation has been successful. HCG is
involved in promoting the production of corpus luteal progesterone production, the expansion of the uteral wall and is also responsible for stimulating the onset of fetal gonadal
steroidogenesis. The hormone multiplies throughout the pregnancy, with levels being around
0-50 mIU/ml in week one and 1,000-50,000 mIU/ml by the third trimester. It is notoriously a
trigger for morning sickness. (Embryology.med.nsw.edu.au 2016)
Progesterone assists with the implantation and growth of an embryo as well as the
maintenance of a pregnancy. These levels are particularly prominent in the first trimester and
also assist in immunity function within the mother. Progesterone is responsible for certain
common pregnancy symptoms such as hair growth and fainting. (Parents.com 2016)
Oestrogen is a hormone that helps with the development of the baby, in particular the baby’s
adrenal gland, and helps with the production of oxytocin within the mother.
It peaks towards the end of the first trimester and then lowers thereafter. Oestrogen also helps
to maintain a pregnancy, for example, by keeping the uterus lining healthy. (Parents.com
2016)
The placenta produces several hormones including human placental lactogen and
corticotrophin-releasing hormone. The purpose of human placental lactogen is to promote
the development of the breasts in preparation for lactation. It is also thought to maintain the
mother’s metabolism by influencing the rise of maternal blood levels of nutrients for use by
the foetus. The Corticotrophin-releasing hormone regulates the duration of pregnancy and
foetal maturation.
The hormone oxytocin helps in initiating labour contractions and at the same time it
aids in the softening of the cervix. If there is no progress of labour during its stages or phases,
therefore, labour needs to be induced; and as a result an oxytocin needs to be administered.
In breastfeeding, oxytocin influences the let-down reflex and is released in pulses as the baby
feeds. During the duration of lactation, oxytocin continues to be produced to keep the
mother relaxed and baby well nourished. When the baby begins suckling from the
mother's breast after delivery, prolactin signals the release of milk from the
mammary glands. (Yourhormones.info 2015)

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