A Friendly Guide To Coping With Hormonal Changes While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of hormones that cause unique physiological changes. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone prepare your body for welcoming your little one. They also tend to cause not-so-welcome side effects such as morning sickness, dizziness, and constipation, among others. Learn about the key pregnancy hormones, their roles, and how meditation can help you cope during this hectic, yet exciting time!

What is the role of hormones during pregnancy?

• hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin hormone). This very special hormone is only made during pregnancy and produced by what becomes the placenta. During the first trimester, high levels of hCG are found in the mother’s blood and urine. You may come across hCG at the beginning of your pregnancy when taking a home pregnancy test. Indeed, this particular hormone is the one that makes the stick turn blue after you pee on it.

  But, of course, hCG has many other functions, one of them is sending a message to the body that there’s a tiny life growing and, as such, it needs to get ready. It also messages the ovaries to indicate to stop the production of a maturing egg every month. There’s a downside to it though! Doctors believe hCG is to blame for the infamous “morning sickness” and nausea often experienced during pregnancy.

• hPL (Human placental lactogen). This hormone is produced by the placenta and, as the name suggests, it has to do with lactation. It calibrates your body’s metabolism to feed your baby and prepares your breasts for breastfeeding. It helps make colostrum, a “pre-milk” rich in antibodies that precede actual breast milk.
• Progesterone. This all-important hormone is part of a dynamic duo (progesterone and estrogen). It’s made by the ovaries and later by the placenta. Shortly after ovulation, progesterone stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining to facilitate the implantation of the fertilized egg in your uterus.

  It also relaxes all smooth muscles, especially the womb, to prepare you for labor. On the downside, it contributes to the relaxation of blood vessels, causing low blood pressure, dizziness, heartburn, constipation, gas, and other gastrointestinal problems. Lastly, progesterone can lead to increased hair growth in unwanted places such as your lower abdomen and upper lip, for example.

• Estrogen. Similar to progesterone, estrogen is made in the ovaries and later the placenta. The two of them are the hormones in charge of kickstarting pregnancy. Estrogen helps enhance the uterus and triggers the development of the baby’s organs. It also enlarges the milk ducts in the breasts, preparing you for milk production. While very helpful, estrogen can cause increased appetite, nausea, spider veins, itchiness, dark patches on your face, and other skin changes.

Dealing with fluctuating hormones while pregnant

As you already know, while incredibly helpful for pregnancy, hormones can cause a wide range of unfamiliar, and often uncomfortable side effects. From nausea to constipation, itchiness, mood swings, and more. Although some women might not experience half of these symptoms, for others it will be an inevitable matter. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things you can do to make everything easier and more bearable. Here are some very useful things to help you cope.

1. Prioritize sleep

Sleep is the key to preserving balanced physical and mental health. When you are pregnant, you’re likely to feel tired, especially during the first trimester. Then, in the third trimester, your belly will give you some trouble as you struggle to get comfortable. Try to get the rest you need. Feeling tired and exhausted just can make symptoms such as mood swings even more severe.

Tips: Nap whenever you can. Sleep on your left side and make your bed as comfortable as possible during the third trimester.

2. Talk about it

Sometimes, we need to feel reassured and be reminded that we’re not alone. Open up to your partner, friends, and children about all these changes you are going through. It’s always great to warn them about any mood changes, fatigue, or pain. This way, they will be ready to support you and give you your space whenever you need it.

And bear in mind that plenty of women have already dealt with crazy hormones during pregnancy. Having a chat with other moms might help you calm your worries and feel normal. Their wisdom can also prepare you as to what to expect and how to cope with pregnancy’s ups and downs.

Tips: Read about pregnancy hormones with your partner or family members. Join a mom’s group on Facebook or MeetUp.

3. Avoid anxiety-inducing material

Let’s face it, many times, we tend to over-consume information that ends up making us anxious. The same thing happens when you’re pregnant. You want to inform yourself about nutrition, exercise, symptoms, and so on.

Tips: If pregnancy material is stressing you out or making you too anxious, have a break. Read funny pregnancy stories or engage in one of your favorite hobbies.

4. Seek professional help

If you would like more information about hormonal health and how you can cope with all these changes, get in touch with your healthcare provider. They will be able to provide you with all the guidance and support you’d need during this hectic, yet fascinating time.

5. Try meditation

Granted, relaxation is easier said than done. When you are dealing with morning sickness, joint pain, and an increased appetite, it’s difficult to find that much-needed peace of mind. Luckily, there are many exercises and simple activities you can try to de-stress and make pregnancy much more enjoyable. Pregnancy yoga and meditation are some of them.

Although the research field on meditation and pregnancy hormones is still young, research suggests that meditative practices can have an effect on cortisol, the principal stress hormone. What’s more, research from the University of Montreal found that meditation helps to release a cascade of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin, which translates into a better mood.

Relax with this daily meditation

1. Sit in a comfortable position. It could be on a chair or a sofa. Try to sit with your back straight. If you are having issues, you can try supporting yourself with pillows.
2. Focus on your breath. Take deep and long breaths.
3. Slowly exhale.
4. As you inhale and exhale, focus on how your breathing flows through your body. If your mind begins wandering, don’t worry! Acknowledge your thoughts gently and go back to your breathing.
5. Inhale again and continue this rhythm for 5 to 10 minutes or until you feel like it.

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