Having some considerable knowledge of the hormonal changes in pregnant women is a great step in managing the depression it comes along with.
The level of hormonal changes in pregnant women which, according to several experts in the medical field, contributes to Post Partum Depression (PPD) has been a well debated topic in the past years. In my previous PDD related article called Managing Postpartum Depression, some symptoms related to these hormonal changes were listed.
It is believed that changes in brain chemistry or structure play a big role in depression because these hormones directly affect the part of the brain that controls emotions and mood. This article serves to explain these hormone changesand how they play a significant role in the behavior of pregnant women.
The following is a list of the most common hormones that influence the pregnancy period:
- Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone (beta hCG)
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
This is a hormone produced primarily during pregnancy which serves as the chemical marker for pregnancy tests. The beta hCG levels normally double approximately every 72 hours until the high peaks of the pregnancy period. It also leads to the production of other essential hormones like estrogen and progesterone through the corpus luteum.
According to the Merck Manual, the change in the levels of human Chorionic Gonadotropin is the cause of morning sickness and its side effects. It also plays a role in the cause of nausea, fatigue and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is known that low hcg level may indicate a miscalculated date of conception, an ectopic pregnancy or a possible miscarriage while a high hCG level indicates a molar pregnancy or a multiple pregnancy.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the hormone secreted by the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over. Its function is to create glands present in the endometrium to secrete the uterine fluid. It also regulates the secretion of progesterone and other hormones. This hormone is the cause of the pregnancy glow, which consists of the increased secretions of the oil glands that give the skin a kind of waxy sheen as is seen in pregnant women.
Progesterone
Progesterone is also secreted by the corpus luteum too and it’s the main hormone that prepares the uterus ready for implantation. It also increases the blood supply of the uterine wall and stimulates the glands inside the uterine to secrete fluid to nourish the embryo.
In effect, without this increase in the secretion of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, which contribute to the glow and beauty, pregnant women, will look the opposite and this, will contribute to low self esteem and eventually lead to depression.
The high presence of progesterone also plays a significant role in the respiratory tract as it signals the brain to lower the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood causing pregnant women to breathe slightly faster and more deeply to exhale more CO2. This uneasiness causes more strain, discomfort and distress to pregnant women and eventually produces some emotional imbalance in them.
During pregnancy, levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone increase greatly. Approximately a day after childbirth, hormone levels rapidly become normal. Researchers think the big change in hormone levels could be the main cause of the depression.
So, having some considerable knowledge of the behavior of hormones in pregnant women is a step in managing the depression it comes along with.
Sources:
http://merckmanuals.com/professional/sec15/ch200/ch200b.html#sec15-ch200-ch200b-470
http://merckmanuals.com/professional/sec15/ch200/ch200c.html#sec15-ch200-ch200c-574