Most men find it hard to understand what is causing all these hormonal changes in women during pregnancy. The mood swings, to food cravings, sleeping a lot and constipation are just a few of the changes. You will be surprised that these hormones are the ones that help her during pregnancy and the hormones that help in the development of the baby. There are still a lot of unknown hormones around the woman's body during pregnancy; however there are the ones that have already been studied: progesterone and oestrogen (estrogen). These hormones are present in the placenta all throughout the woman's pregnancy and the levels get higher until the woman gives birth.
Women mostly suffer these effects due to the escalated levels in progesterone: Constipation, Heartburn, Runny and irritable nose, blurry eyesight or headaches, and increased kidney infection risks. Progesterone is necessary though because it develops the endometrium and secretes fluids with the help of estrogen. It also aids in maintaining the activity of the placenta, and protects the womb by fighting off unwanted cells. Progesterone also helps in the growth of the breast tissue, and together with estrogen prevents lactation until the woman gives birth. Another necessity of progesterone hormones is that it keeps the uterus from contracting, thus making the baby stay where it is.
Like Progesterone, estrogen is also present during pregnancy and they increase in level as the woman gives birth. Estrogen helps in the development of sexual characteristics of the baby, as well as activating the maturation of the reproductive organs. Estrogen also helps regulate the bone density of the fetus and blood flow within the uterus. Women start to have rashes or red blotches on the skin, because of elevated levels of estrogen, and some perceive this to be the "glow" during pregnancy.
Headaches During PregnancyHannah Henry is a freelance writer/editor who is very fond of fishing. Her favorite spinning reel is the Daiwa Exist Spinning Reel, out of her Daiwa Spinning Reels.