Oh, these hormones: studies during pregnancy. Is hormone therapy so scary during pregnancy or when is it justified? Hormonal levels during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's body produces certain hormones that can affect the expectant mother's body and organs in different ways. The hormonal levels of a pregnant woman can change several times and act both positively and negatively, so you should carefully monitor changes in appearance and behavior.

The hormonal background in pregnant women can influence exactly how a woman will look and behave in a given situation, because it is hormones that change the habits of expectant mothers. After conceiving a child, the woman’s body actively begins to produce hormones, namely: estrogens, progesterones, oxytocins and hCG, which are responsible for certain changes. Thanks to human chorionic gonadotropin, it is possible to determine a woman’s pregnancy without any problems, so doctors direct expectant mothers to do this particular test. The pregnancy hormone or hCG can indicate the presence of pregnancy even at a very early stage, so women do a urine test and calmly wait for the result, which is usually known after a few hours.

It is worth noting that it is the pregnant woman’s chorionic gonadotropin that is responsible for nausea and headaches, which leaves her body a few months after conceiving a child. After the conception of a child has occurred, a woman’s body produces estrogens - hormones responsible for the sensitivity of the body and its preparation for pregnancy. The amount of this hormone constantly increases as pregnancy progresses, so at the beginning it is twenty times more than the normal norm, and by the end of bearing the baby it is already three hundred times more than the norm. Due to such an increase in this hormone, the woman’s breasts begin to enlarge and milk appears, which is very necessary for the newborn.

A pregnant woman's skin becomes thinner, so during this period she needs to be more attentive to her health so as not to get injured or get into dangerous situations. It is worth noting that during the period of bearing a child, women's hair begins to break or fall out, but this phenomenon disappears after the birth of the baby.

Among other things, the hormone estrogen is responsible for changing skin color and pigmentation, so you can often find a pregnant woman who has freckles or moles. After spending a long enough time in the sun, a pregnant woman may develop spots on her skin that disappear after a while. It is worth noting that, regardless of the negative effects presented by estrogen, there are also quite positive properties, for example, this hormone prepares the uterus for bearing a baby, and is also responsible for the safety of the fetus. Another important hormone produced by the female body is progesterone, which is also involved in preparing the uterus for pregnancy.

Progesterone promotes better attachment of the fetus to the walls of the uterus, and is also responsible for the supply of nutrients necessary for the child. It is worth noting that when it is time for a pregnant woman to give birth, progesterone helps to relax the muscles of the uterus, as well as stimulate contractions. If there are downsides to this hormone, it slightly weakens the functioning of the intestines, which leads to constipation and bloating, and progesterone can also affect the dilation of veins. In order to find out whether the body produces enough of these hormones, a pregnant woman needs to undergo urine and blood tests, and also consult with her doctor.

Leading specialists in the medical field will determine, based on analyzes, which medications Best taken to bring hormone levels back to normal. Under no circumstances should you take pills that someone recommended; this can lead to disruption of the body’s functioning and even to the loss of the child.

It is worth noting that you can bring the amount of hormones produced to normal on your own at home, for this it is worth making a correct mode day and nutrition. Must be excluded from the diet harmful products foods containing high amounts of cholesterol, and also spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Pregnancy and childbirth are a serious test for the body. But nature made sure that as the fetus develops, the woman’s body copes with the additional load, and the unborn child receives all the vital needs. nutrients. The growth of the fetus and the process of childbirth itself would be impossible if hormonal changes did not occur in the body of a pregnant woman.

So, hormonal changes during pregnancy are changes in the concentration of hormones already produced by the endocrine organs and the beginning of the production of those hormones that contribute to the correct course of pregnancy and ensure the physiological course of childbirth. Failures in this area lead to complications, miscarriage and miscarriages.

Who's responsible?

In fact, hormonal changes during pregnancy are a natural process that starts in our body automatically, absolutely regardless of our will and knowledge of the onset of pregnancy. Almost all endocrine glands are responsible for the changes occurring - the pituitary gland, gonads, thyroid gland, adrenal glands. The conductor in this case is the pituitary gland - it’s not for nothing that it increases almost two to three times during pregnancy! It is responsible for a sharp decrease in the hormones that regulate the functioning of the sex glands - FSH and LH hormones, responsible for the maturation of eggs and ovulation. Now new eggs are not required, so the body does not have to waste valuable material. It also produces thyroid-stimulating hormone, which regulates the functions of the thyroid gland, and stimulates the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone, which regulates the functioning of the adrenal glands. Under its influence, the adrenal glands produce mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, whose task is to regulate water-salt metabolism and suppress immunity. The latter, paradoxically, is extremely important to ensure that the mother’s body does not reject the fetus. By-effect caused by these hormones - thinning hair, hyperpigmentation of the skin, formation of striae, increased growth of body hair. The pituitary gland is also responsible for the production and regulation of the concentration of oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates labor.

In many pregnant women, the thyroid gland also increases in size, which begins to intensively produce hormones. That is why monitoring it is so important - after childbirth, malfunctions often occur in its work. Excessive production of hormones increases the risk of miscarriage and, conversely, reduced production of hormones can lead to disruptions in the formation of the brain and central nervous system.

The placenta itself begins to work as an endocrine gland, producing estrogens, which are tasked with stimulating the growth of the uterus, removing fluids from the body, and bringing blood pressure back to normal.

The pancreas is not directly involved in the synthesis of special hormones to ensure the proper course of pregnancy. However, during pregnancy, the sensitivity of body tissues to the insulin it produces may change. This is fraught with the development of diabetes mellitus in pregnant women, so regular blood donation for sugar is not reinsurance for doctors, but necessary tool monitoring the progress of pregnancy.

Main stages

Soon after conception, the first hormonal changes during pregnancy occur, associated with the work of the corpus luteum. It begins to secrete the hormone progesterone, whose task is to ensure the attachment of the fertilized egg to the endometrium of the uterus, reducing its excitability and stimulating the growth of the mammary glands. Without this hormone, pregnancy is practically impossible; its lack is fraught with the threat of miscarriage. It is this hormone that is responsible for tearfulness, irritability and mood swings, fluid retention in the body, drowsiness, nausea, heartburn, frequent urination and swelling. Hormone production occurs throughout pregnancy, gradually decreasing.

From the moment the embryo attaches until the end of pregnancy, chorionic gonadothoropin (CG) begins to be produced - it provokes the corpus luteum to further produce progesterone, stimulates the synthesis of estrogen by the ovaries, thereby ensuring the normal course of pregnancy.
Active production of hormones by the placenta begins after ten weeks. In addition to the estrogens mentioned above, the placenta produces a lot of other hormones, including somatomammotropin and hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin.

hCG

The production of hCG occurs from the moment pregnancy begins and continues throughout its entire duration. In this case, the amount of hormone produced depends on the period of pregnancy and changes every week. Therefore, the graph of changes in hCG during pregnancy is an important diagnostic factor and allows you to monitor the progress of pregnancy, identify the threat of miscarriage and a non-developing pregnancy. In the first trimester, hCG stimulates the production of the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones required for the proper course of pregnancy. HCG also stimulates the activity of Leydig cells of male fetuses, which begin to synthesize testosterone and contribute to the formation of male organs. The production of hCG is associated with the fact that the cells of the female body are rapidly renewed during pregnancy. So, the opinion that pregnancy contributes to the renewal and rejuvenation of a woman’s body is not so far from the truth.

The chorionic somatomammotropin produced affects the growth of the mammary gland. A side effect is a change in the length of the foot: it may grow slightly.

At the end of the third trimester, namely a couple of weeks before giving birth, hormonal changes during pregnancy begin new phase. Now there is no point in keeping the child from premature rejection. On the contrary, it is necessary to ensure its birth. The level of progesterone production decreases and the amount of estrogen increases. The latter, in turn, begin to stimulate the production of prostaglandins - substances that stimulate labor and the synthesis of oxytocin, which contracts the uterus. Estrogens are also responsible for the production of other stimulating substances that trigger the labor mechanism - histamine, serotonin and melatonin. By the time of birth, prolactin production also increases - 5-6 times compared to the beginning of the first trimester.

Why such subtleties?

Of course, hormonal changes during pregnancy, when examined in more detail, have an even more complex picture. Hormones entering the blood of a pregnant woman have a multifaceted effect. Ideally, the “positive” and “negative” effects of hormones interact harmoniously and ensure a normal pregnancy and a successful birth. In addition, the influence of hormones also changes a woman’s appearance. But the more complex the mechanism, the more likely it is to malfunction, which is why control over hormonal changes during gestation is so important. Modern medicine can offer drugs that, if abnormalities arise, can help normalize hormonal background, increase or slow down the production of certain hormones, thereby maintaining pregnancy and ensuring the birth of a healthy child.

The common expression “the hormones are playing again” is not a joke at all when it comes to the expectant mother. Hormonal changes during the period of waiting for a baby can affect both her appearance, and on the emotional state.

IN female body More than sixty hormones function. The balance between their content is called hormonal levels. Pregnancy is one of the reasons that provokes a real hormonal storm. For all nine months, the expectant mother’s body will work for two, while metabolic processes must still occur constantly, quickly and uninterruptedly. Therefore, the main change that a pregnant woman will certainly feel is the doubled production of various hormones designed to help the body cope with the increased load.

With a plus sign

*HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
What happens: hair and nail growth increases, skin condition improves.
Indeed, many women seem to blossom during pregnancy. This “rejuvenation” is associated with the action of the hormone hCG, which promotes accelerated cell renewal in the body. HCG also affects thyroid hormones, increasing their concentration. Increased production of “thyroid” hormones entails an acceleration of metabolism, which provokes the renewal of all cells, including hair and skin cells.

*CHS (chorionic somatomammotropin)
What happens: the volume of the mammary glands increases.
CSM is a protein hormone that is produced by the placenta. Its production begins from the 6th week of pregnancy and increases sharply in the last trimester. Under the influence of hormonal changes (CHM works in conjunction with estrogen, which stimulates the development of milk ducts, and progesterone, which is responsible for the increase in glandular tissue), during pregnancy the volume of lobules and ducts in the breast increases, and the cells responsible for milk production grow. In general, over 9 months, the expectant mother’s breasts can increase by several sizes.

*Endorphin
What is happening: development of creative potential.
Endorphin is called the hormone of happiness. It is he who is responsible for the formation of a positive attitude and the desire for creative self-expression. During such activities future mom learns to feel the world of her baby, and through songs, drawings or crafts - to express her love for him. In addition, creative pastime helps her to understand the changes taking place and accept new inner experiences. The maximum amount of endorphin is produced in the body shortly before childbirth.

Olga Chaban, obstetrician-gynecologist at the Semeynaya network of medical clinics:
“After pregnancy, the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) appears first in a woman’s blood. This hormone is responsible for the development and maintenance of pregnancy. There are certain indicators of the level of hCG depending on the stage of pregnancy; the analysis is taken routinely at 12 and 16 weeks. If the hCG level remains unchanged or increases slightly, this may be a sign of an ectopic or frozen pregnancy. Therefore, women with a history of miscarriage are recommended to take an hCG test for more early stages».

With a minus sign

*Progesterone
What happens: swelling, nausea, drowsiness, heartburn, increased urination, drowsiness.
The first changes in hormonal levels occur immediately after the start of pregnancy: the corpus luteum of the ovary begins to synthesize the hormone progesterone. “Pregnancy can occur only with the required amount of progesterone in the blood,” says Olga Chaban. - It is responsible for attaching the fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, promotes the growth of the uterus and prevents its contractions, and also takes part in preparing the mammary glands for lactation. Increased uterine tone and spotting are most often indicators of low progesterone levels.”

Progesterone production occurs throughout pregnancy, gradually decreasing towards the due date. Despite the fact that without progesterone, bearing a baby would be impossible, the hormone may not have the best effect on the body.

● Progesterone increases skin sensitivity, makes muscles and skin tissue softer and more elastic. This gives them the opportunity to stretch, adjusting to the size of the growing fetus. Internal stretching of the connective tissue also occurs, and striae (stretch marks) appear.

● Often, precisely because of the increased level of progesterone, expectant mothers experience deterioration in their skin condition (dryness, age spots, acne).

● Progesterone retains fluid and salt in the body, has negative impact on the psyche (worsens mood, increases irritability), can provoke headaches, and also contributes to the development of constipation.

*Estrogen
What happens: tearfulness, emotional depression, bloating, varicose veins.
Estrogens are the main female hormones. After conception, their number in the female body increases by 20 times, and by the end of pregnancy - by 300, because they are responsible for preparing the body for childbirth. Estrogens promote the growth of reproductive tissues, including increasing the size of the muscles of the uterus, thickening its mucous membrane and improving blood supply, and also stimulate the development of the milk ducts and blood supply to the mammary gland. High levels of estrogen affect water retention in the body, subcutaneous fat deposition and skin pigmentation. And it is the increased content of estrogen that causes bad mood, depression and anxiety.

What can you do?
* Introduce “smart” foods into your diet. For example, in oatmeal, turkey and bananas contain tryptophan, which helps the brain work more efficiently, which means it can successfully fight absent-mindedness and forgetfulness. Flavonoids, which are rich in apples, blueberries, and onions, have a similar effect. Low-fat protein foods improve memory: beef, tuna, white beans, rice, cottage cheese, cheese.
* Sleep at least 6–7 hours - this period of rest is enough to keep your brain in working condition. The best way to get rid of the feeling of fatigue is to take short-term nap.
* To complain less about absent-mindedness, put everything in the house on shelves. For small items (keys, glasses, flash drives, hair ties), select a special place where you will put them. Feel free to use reminder notes.
* Drink more water. Dehydration causes hormones to remain undiluted, which only makes current problems worse.
* To prevent stretch marks, monitor your weight (it will be very good if it increases gradually and not abruptly) and do not forget to take care of the skin in risk areas (hips, buttocks, chest, abdomen).
* In order to alleviate discomfort during swelling of the mammary glands, it is useful to take a contrast shower and purchase a comfortable cotton bra (if discomfort is severe, you can wear it even at night).
* Tears are the easiest way to release unnecessary emotions and survive stress. Crying is also an option. Only then mentally communicate with the baby, tell him openly about your joys and sorrows - this will help form contact between you and the baby.
* Remember that emotions and experiences are not a reflection of the real situation, but your perception of it, which is formed under the influence of hormones, fatigue and, possibly, a lack of information at this stage of life. Relax and enjoy your new condition!

A woman’s reproductive function directly depends on her overall health, especially hormonal indicators. The process of egg maturation, physiological conditions for conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation are under the control of the nervous and endocrine systems. Processes associated with reproductive function depend on the concentration of biologically active substances in the blood. A woman must definitely monitor pregnancy hormones through tests, which should begin at the stage of pregnancy planning.

What are hormones

Glands internal secretion, which unites the endocrine system, synthesize hormones. These substances enter the blood and affect the functioning of internal organs, control physiological processes and condition. Their concentration is small, but the significance of these substances is enormous. Trouble-free operation the body depends on the normal concentration of hormones. With any hormonal disturbances, dysfunction of physiological systems occurs and pathologies develop.

Hormone tests when planning pregnancy

The functionality of a woman’s reproductive organs depends on the concentration of androgens (sex hormones), and their secretion is triggered by hormones of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland. To ensure sexual function, the active substances interact with each other, so it is important to monitor hormonal levels and their ratios. Expectant parents at the stage of pregnancy planning must undergo a medical examination.

A blood test to determine hormonal levels is not prescribed to all couples. Indications for the study are:

• menstrual irregularities;
• signs of hyperandrogenism (obesity, acne, severe hair growth);
• problems with conception (if you are sexually active, pregnancy does not occur within a year);
• problematic pregnancy in previous pregnancies (fetal fading, miscarriage);
• woman's age after 35 years.

Any of the above reasons is a reason to visit a doctor - an obstetrician-gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a gynecologist-endocrinologist. It is better to undergo the examination approximately six months before the planned conception. The doctor determines which hormone tests to take and when it is best to do it. A study of venous blood and urine will show the level of active substances in the body. Based on its results, the doctor will give an opinion regarding the young couple’s ability to have a child. If pathologies are detected, appropriate treatment is carried out.

What hormones to take when planning pregnancy

Hormones and pregnancy are interrelated concepts. There are active substances that ensure the onset of ovulation, the possibility of conception, implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, the normal course of pregnancy and embryo development, labor, and breastfeeding. The hormonal background for pregnancy is determined by:

• estradiol;
• anti-Mullerian (AMG);
• prolactin;
• follicle-stimulating (FSH);
• luteinizing (LH);
• progesterone;
• testosterone;
• dehydroepiandrosterone (or DHEA sulfate);
• thyroid hormones (thyroxine, thyroid stimulating).

How to take hormone tests for women

To conduct a laboratory test, women need to donate venous blood, which is taken on an empty stomach on a certain day of the uterine cycle. In the medical report, normal values ​​are indicated next to the results. To obtain reliable indicators, you need to prepare for the analysis. On the eve of the study it is necessary:

• abstain from sexual intercourse;
• exclude physical activity;
• stop taking hormonal medications;
• avoid stressful situations;
• do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Hormones affecting conception in women

The list of hormones for pregnancy is impressive; even before pregnancy occurs, numerous preparatory processes occur in a woman’s body. The immediate possibility of conception and the course of pregnancy depend on hormonal balance. Some hormones are synthesized by the sex glands. Female androgens stimulate the development of follicles, the maturation of the egg, and create conditions for its fertilization. Fertility hormones prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy.

In addition to the gonads, other endocrine glands influence the conception and bearing of a child - the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland. The amount of secreted active substances that does not correspond to the norm negatively affects the health of a pregnant woman. For example, the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, must be monitored to prevent miscarriage. Determining hormonal levels is a necessary study for the birth of a healthy baby.

LH

The maturation of the egg, complete ovulation, the production of female estrogens (estradiol, estriol and estrone), and the formation of the corpus luteum of the ovaries are provided by luteinizing hormone. It ensures the production of progesterone, which is important during pregnancy. LH is produced by the pituitary gland. The amount of this substance in the blood is determined on days 3-8 or 19-21 menstrual cycle.

FSH

Based on the level of follicle-stimulating hormone, you can determine the period of ovulation, which is important for planning conception and pregnancy. FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, its functions are stimulation of growth and maturation of follicles, development of the endometrium of the uterus. The level of this substance depends on the phase of the cycle. FSH and LH actively interact, so they are determined simultaneously in the analysis. Their maximum concentration indicates the release of the egg from the follicle.

When diagnosing infertility and other reproductive dysfunctions, the ratio of these substances and the direct concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone is of decisive importance. An imbalance of substances indicates insufficient function of the pituitary gland, the development of neoplasms in it, the manifestation of amenorrhea syndrome (absence of menstruation), and renal failure.

Prolactin

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland. Active substance controls the preparation of the mammary glands for breastfeeding, production of breast milk. Determining the concentration of the substance is important at the stage of pregnancy planning, because it affects the formation of FSH, the amount of estrogens and thyroid hormones. One of the reasons for the lack of ovulation (and subsequently infertility) is a deviation from the norm in prolactin levels. They take the test on days 5-8 of the cycle.

Elevated values ​​are associated with pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, anorexia, liver and kidney diseases. It is worth paying attention to the lack of prolactin in case of a simultaneous decrease with other active substances (for example, the thyroid gland). This indicates pathological conditions of the pituitary system.

Estradiol

The main female androgen estradiol is produced by the ovaries. He responsible for the menstrual cycle, egg maturation, and prepares the uterine mucosa for pregnancy. The production of the substance is influenced by prolactin, LH, FSH, and during pregnancy - by the fetal adrenal glands. The highest concentration of the substance is observed 1-2 days before ovulation. You can take the test at any time during your cycle.

Increased concentrations of estradiol are associated with the presence of tumors or cysts of the appendages. When smoking or unusual physical fatigue, the level of the substance decreases. Estradiol deficiency can cause hormonal imbalance - increased prolactin against the background of an insufficient luteal phase. The danger of self-abortion arises against the background of a lack of the main female androgen.

Testosterone

The main male androgen and the hormones responsible for pregnancy only at first glance have no connection with each other. Testosterone is produced in a woman's body by the ovaries and adrenal cortex. The substance affects the full development of follicles. Increased testosterone interferes with ovulation and is a risk factor for spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy. You need to donate blood for substance content on days 6-7 of the cycle. Peak concentrations occur during ovulation and the luteal phase.

You need to check your testosterone levels when planning a pregnancy. Its increased amount is indicative of the presence of ovarian tumors, adrenal hyperfunction, and hereditary predisposition. A decrease in the concentration of the substance is associated with endometriosis (excessive growth of the uterine mucosa), big amount estrogens, the presence of uterine fibroids, breast tumors, osteoporosis.

Progesterone

The corpus luteum of the ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta synthesize the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It ensures the attachment of the egg to the endometrium (inner wall of the uterus), increases the size of the uterus, minimizes its contractions, which helps preserve the fetus. For a normal pregnancy, progesterone is the most important female androgen. Its level is determined during the period of ovulation (approximately day 14). The peak amount of the substance is observed in the second half of the uterine cycle.

An increase in progesterone concentration is associated with the risk of uterine bleeding, pathologies of placenta formation, corpus luteum cyst, diseases of the adrenal glands and kidneys. The decrease in indicators is associated with the lack of ovulation, the phase of the corpus luteum and its hormonal dysfunction, chronic inflammation in the appendages. If there is a lack of progesterone, even during pregnancy, a miscarriage occurs; the embryo cannot implant in the uterus.

DEA sulfate

The adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (or DHEA sulfate) triggers the secretion of estrogen by the placenta during pregnancy. It is synthesized in small quantities in a woman's body and is predominantly a male hormone. Analysis for the determination of the substance is used to study ovarian pathologies and associated infertility. Conception will not occur if dga s is elevated in women. You can donate blood on any day of your cycle.

Thyroid hormones

When planning pregnancy, it is important to determine the level of thyroid hormones - thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Their quantity is of decisive importance for maintaining proper metabolism in the pregnant woman and the fetus. The normal content of these substances prevents the development of hypoxia in the unborn child and anemia in the mother. Determining the level of thyroxine and TSH is mandatory for women with cycle disorders, miscarriage, or problems with conception. The day of the test is determined by the doctor.

Certain pregnancy hormones are secreted under the influence of TSH, so it is important to determine its amount in a timely manner. Prolactin is one of them. TSH increases in tumors, renal failure, and mental disorders. A reduced amount indicates thyroid dysfunction and pituitary gland injury. Lack and excess of thyroxine negatively affect the functioning of the body as a whole. Thyroid dysfunction can interfere with conception.

Video

When menstruation is delayed, every woman knows that pregnancy can be confirmed or denied using a test. This is the first time hormone testing is performed during a suspected pregnancy. The rapid test determines the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine, which is the first indicator of its presence. In the future, the obstetrician-gynecologist will refer you for studies depending on the indications for a particular patient.

Indications for blood hormone testing

Diagnostic reagents are expensive, and there is no need to perform the test on all women with normal fetal development. The exception is tests for thyroid hormones. They are prescribed to all women, because... insufficiency of the function of this organ leads to serious pathologies of the child, including mental retardation and underdevelopment.

For other hormones, a list of indications has been defined:

1. associated with disrupted hormonal levels.
2. Recurrent miscarriage (three or more miscarriages within 20 weeks) and the threat of termination of the current pregnancy.
3. Partial at an early stage.
4. The risk of developing genetic abnormalities in fetal development.
5. Pregnancy obtained by IVF method.
6. In the late term, the level of prolactin can be used to judge whether a woman is carrying a child to term or not.

Timely diagnosis makes it possible to identify disorders and prescribe correction of the pathological condition.

Preparing for the test

To study kinins, venous blood is taken. Therefore, when it is necessary to take tests, certain preparation conditions are observed:

1. The day before your due date, you should avoid fatty foods. A large amount of fat negatively affects the quality of blood serum and can distort the results. Many foods cause blood thickening, which is also reflected in the results of the study.
2. The last meal should be no later than 19:00. Blood is donated in the morning strictly on an empty stomach. In most cases, morning fasting is easily tolerated, but if the sensations are very pronounced, you can drink some clean drinking water.
3. The day before the tests, there is no need to be physically overtired; stress factors should be limited.
4. If a woman is taking life-saving medications, the doctor should be informed about this. It may be necessary to discontinue them before donating blood or reduce the dosage.
5. During the blood test, you should also not smoke or drink alcohol the day before.

What do individual hormones and their combinations say?

Each period of pregnancy has its own norm of a certain hormone. Diagnostic laboratories use various methods research and units of measurement. Therefore, interpretation of the analysis is possible only by the attending physician.

hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin is not normally detected in women. It appears in the blood after fertilization of the egg. The synthesis of the hormone is produced by the membrane of the embryo - the chorion. HCG rebuilds the mother's immune system, weakens it, and stimulates increased production of progesterone in the ovaries.

Every two days the existing hormone doubles. The indicator reaches its maximum values ​​by the time the formation of the placenta is completed - by 9-11 weeks.

Test strips use a qualitative reaction to hCG. They determine only its presence, without indicating the quantity. A blood test for hCG is necessary to identify the following abnormalities during pregnancy:

• non-developing or biochemical pregnancy;
• successful with IVF;
• ectopic attachment of the embryo.

The phenomenon of biochemical pregnancy is a condition in which it is impossible to determine the fertilized egg using ultrasound, and hormone tests have indicators as in normal gestation. But after a few days bleeding begins and a miscarriage occurs.

With ectopic implantation of the ovum, hCG levels will initially increase, but then at a certain stage this will stop, and clinical symptoms interrupted A non-developing fertilized egg will show similar results. After a successful increase, hCG will stop increasing and decrease sharply.

A low hCG level is possible if the gestational age is incorrectly determined. Increased amounts of the hormone appear during multiple pregnancies, diabetes mellitus, fetal malformations, gestosis.

In IVF protocols, hCG determination is carried out two weeks after embryo transfer. After two days, the study is repeated. If the indicator doubles, then we can assume that the fetus is developing successfully. In some cases, the analysis is repeated up to 21 days after replanting.

If a woman tries to decipher such an analysis on her own, then she should remember that doctors antenatal clinic gestational age is calculated by day last menstrual period, and for hCG determination The day of fertilization is taken as the starting point.

Progesterone

In early pregnancy, hormone tests often include progesterone. This is a steroid hormone that increases in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. It prepares the endometrium for implantation and reduces the immune response of the maternal body. After ovulation, progesterone synthesis occurs in the corpus luteum; its amount constantly increases during a normally developing pregnancy. In later stages, it suppresses lactation and contractile activity of the uterus. A drop in progesterone concentration indicates the imminent onset of labor.

At the beginning of the term, progesterone is determined for women with threatened miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage. In the second half of gestation, analysis is prescribed when it is necessary to determine the presence of an alleged pathology of the fetus or placenta. Immediately before giving birth, the level of progesterone allows you to determine whether a woman is carrying a child to term or not.

The analysis is carried out according to general rules blood sampling, on an empty stomach. But be sure to stop taking progesterone-based medications (Duphaston, Utrozhestan) 2 days before it.

Excess progesterone can be observed with, as well as with pathological conditions: pathology of the placenta, adrenal glands, impaired renal function.

Correction of progesterone deficiency in early pregnancy is carried out with its preparations. Treatment for conditions associated with excess hormone depends on the specific cause diagnosed.

Estrogen

After fertilization, estrogen is synthesized by the ovaries at an increased rate. Gradually, as the fetus grows, the placenta and adrenal glands of the child are connected to the synthesis of the hormone. During pregnancy, the concentration of estriol and estradiol is determined. These fractions promote the growth of the uterus and increase blood flow in it, improve the clotting qualities of blood, which is necessary for the rapid elimination of blood loss during childbirth.

Throughout gestation, estrogen gradually increases, reaching a maximum at the time of birth. It also blocks lactation, so after it decreases 3-4 days after birth, breast milk production begins.

An increase in estrogen is observed with:

• twin pregnancy;
• liver pathologies;
• renal failure.

The negative consequences of such a deviation are the possibility of deterioration of the liver.

Reduced estrogen levels lead to the following consequences:

• or premature birth;
• fetal chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome);
• intrauterine infection;
• fetoplacental insufficiency.

A reduced level of kinin will lead to the appearance of stretch marks on the skin, deterioration in overall health and mood, weakness and decreased performance.

Alpha fetoprotein

In the corpus luteum of a pregnant woman, then in the yolk sac of the embryo and in its liver, a specific protein is synthesized, the determination of which is included in the study of the hormonal state of the pregnant woman. It performs many functions:

• ensures the growth of the embryo due to the transfer of proteins from mother to child;
• transports fats necessary for the embryo, and also participates in the synthesis of surfactant - a substance that allows the lungs to expand after the first breath;
• has an immunosuppressive effect on the maternal body;
• reduces the effect of estrogens on the fetus;
• provides physiological blood pressure in the child’s vessels.

It is recommended to perform the analysis in women who decide to become a mother after 35 years of age, as well as those with a history of miscarriages, stillbirths, and children with developmental anomalies. Research would not hurt those expectant mothers who work in hazardous conditions and are exposed to radiation and chemicals.

An increase in AFP is observed in the following conditions:

• viral infection;
• intrauterine growth retardation;
• large body weight of the child;
• hydrocephalus;
• severe;
• chromosomal abnormalities;
• underdevelopment of the neural tube, digestive system, and urinary organs.

If the AFP concentration in the blood test is increased, then the examination is supplemented with an ultrasound of the fetus. If there are severe developmental anomalies, the woman is offered to terminate the pregnancy.

Prolactin

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone. It is detected in small amounts in non-pregnant women and increases with the progression of pregnancy. The secretion of prolactin is regulated by estrogens. When the level of the latter increases, the concentration of lactotropic hormone increases. It affects the mammary gland - it increases in size and begins to secrete colostrum. Also, the concentration of prolactin is regulated by dopamine, which inhibits its release.

In women, prolactin has a slight analgesic effect, helps prepare for childbirth, and reduces pain during feeding. It crosses the placenta and promotes lung maturation and surfactant distribution. In the postpartum period, prolactin inhibits the action of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones and inhibits ovulation.

Determination of prolactin concentration is of clinical importance before pregnancy in women with infertility, as well as after childbirth for those who cannot wait for menstruation. In the late term, the determination of prolactin makes it possible to determine whether the woman in labor is carrying a child to term. In some cases, artificial induction of labor may be necessary.

Thyroid hormones

Insufficient thyroid function in the mother affects the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Women with hypothyroidism are at risk of preterm pregnancy or having a child with hypothyroidism. This affects general condition, immunity and mental development. Therefore, when registering, all expectant mothers are prescribed tests for thyroid hormones.

A study of T3 and T4 is prescribed. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in most cases is always normal. This is explained by the fact that pregnant women have increased levels of somatotropin, which has a stimulating effect on TSH.

In case of thyroid pathology, hormone determination is carried out monthly. Additionally, related studies are prescribed, the list of which is determined based on the indications. This may include ultrasound of the thyroid gland, ECG, laboratory diagnosis of antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase.