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Pregnancy & Childbirth |
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| | Hormones During Pregnancy |
What is the role of hormones during pregnancy?
Many hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy, with several hormones playing major roles during pregnancy. These include:
- human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG)
This hormone is only produced during pregnancy - first by the ovaries and later by the placenta. HCG hormone levels found in maternal plasma and urine increase dramatically during the first trimester and may contribute to causing nausea and vomiting often associated with pregnancy.
- human placental lactogen (HPL)
This hormone, produced by the placenta, ensures proper fetal development and plays a role in stimulating milk glands in the breasts in anticipation of breastfeeding.
- estrogen
This group of hormones is responsible for the development of the female sexual characteristics. Normally formed in the ovaries, estrogen is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy, to help maintain a healthy pregnancy.
- progesterone
This hormone is produced by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining in anticipation of implantation of a fertilized egg.
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Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000
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