Balancing Hormones, Part 3: Pregnancy
In the third installment of this four part series, our naturopathic practitioner Dr. Allison Wills discusses the various pregnancy hormones and how they impact the body.
Understanding Pregnancy Hormones
hCG: Once egg and sperm unite, human chorionic gonadotropin production rises to stimulate the pregnancy process, and ramp up the production of estrogen and progesterone. While the cause of morning sickness can differ, hCG is often thought to be a contributing factor. HCG peaks towards the end of the first trimester, and some women will start to feel improvements in nausea going into their second trimester. Acupuncture and nutrition can be very helpful in managing nausea.
Estrogen: Stimulated by hCG and eventually the placenta, estrogen has multiple functions during pregnancy including supporting the growing uterus, and triggering the development of the baby’s organs.
Progesterone: Progesterone is crucial in helping women maintain their pregnancy by nurturing the developing fetus. Regular testing of this hormone may be helpful in supporting a healthy pregnancy. Among its many other purposes, progesterone encourages breast tissue growth and helps prepare you for labor.
Oxytocin: Oxytocin is known as the love hormone - we all make it! It is present before, after and during your pregnancy. Oxytocin helps stimulate labor contractions, and sometimes a synthetic version of this hormone, pitocin, is given to induce labor. Oxytocin plays a crucial role in parent-infant bonding, lactation and sexual arousal. It also helps build intimacy and trust in relationships. Orgasm, cuddles, hugs, acupuncture, and skin-to-skin contact are all great ways to increase oxytocin naturally!
Prolactin: The name of this hormone can be broken down to understand the function “pro-lactation”. Prolactin is secreted by the pineal gland, and stimulates the development of breast tissue to eventually produce milk for your child.
Insulin: It is important to keep an eye on insulin and blood sugar markers during pregnancy to help manage the risk of gestational diabetes, and adjust your diet accordingly, if needed.
Thyroid: Thyroid hormones help regulate the metabolism of your body. During pregnancy, the demand of thyroid hormone increases in order to support the growing fetus’s development. There is a specific optimal range of thyroid for each trimester of pregnancy, so it is important to keep a close eye on thyroid markers, especially if you have a known history of thyroid conditions.
Missed the first two posts of this series? Catch up here:
Part 1: Getting off the Pill
Part 2: Preconception
Stay tuned for next week to learn about postpartum care.
Dr. Allison Wills
Dr. Allison Wills is a board certified, California licensed naturopathic doctor, licensed acupuncturist and a certified nutrition specialist®. Dr. Wills completed her doctorate and medical education at National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois. She also holds a Masters of Science in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, and a Bachelors of Science in kinesiology and nutrition.
Dr. Wills is a member of the Endocrinology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, California Naturopathic Doctors Association and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She is also a registered yoga teacher.
As a doctor trained in Naturopathic, Eastern and Western medicine, Dr. Wills has the ability to incorporate a variety of effective integrative and holistic therapies to create a plan that is right for you and your individual health goals. Her expertise includes women’s health, fertility, weight management, acne, eczema, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypothyroidism.