new-family-595x400Any woman who has been pregnant understands that this time brings tremendous changes to the body. They also know that these changes go far beyond the obvious changes that can be aesthetically perceived. Your body is, in a sense, rewired. This is due in large part to the activity of hormones. The following is a simple guide to what to expect in regard to your hormone levels and the consequent effects, broken down by time period.

Hormones During Pregnancy

There are many hormones that get boosted during pregnancy to ensure the embryo develops into a healthy baby. The hormones that have the greatest effect on your mood, energy, and comfort are estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen is a very important hormone that essentially triggers growth and production within the fetus. It is particularly important in enabling the fetus to develop its own hormones. While it is a beautiful thing, it can have some not-so-beautiful side effects, like nausea, spider veins, large appetite, and changes to the pigment of the skin.

Progesterone is the hormone that relaxes the wall of your uterus, allowing for expansion. It also prevents the immune system from attacking foreign DNA: that of your baby. However, these high levels of progesterone have some negative effects as well, such as heartburn, reflux, nausea, vomiting, gas, and constipation. The relaxing of blood vessels resulting from the hormone can also result in dizziness and low blood pressure.


Oftentimes after childbirth, women suffer from hormonal imbalance. This frequently causes more discomfort than hormone-related issues during pregnancy. The most common of these imbalances is estrogen dominance, in which estrogen is present in far greater quantities than progesterone. Hypothyroidism is also quite common, where your thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone. These imbalances can lead to mild annoyances to severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, mood swings, migraines, weight gain, hair loss, depression, insomnia, and much more.

Hormone Replacement

There are many ways that you can help naturally restore your hormonal balance and get back to your life with enthusiasm and energy. The first is to exercise often, specifically by means of yoga, as many postures can help you regain balance as well as deal with many symptoms. You should also do your best to increase the fiber in your diet while avoiding white foods like rice, milk, and white bread. You should make sure you are getting your daily requirements for vitamins while simultaneously avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and polyunsaturated fats. These steps should help you get on your way to better health and a more optimistic outlook.

Pregnancy and childbirth are among the greatest gifts that we have, but they do come at quite a price. The best you can do is understand what is happening and take every step possible to keep yourself healthy and happy.