Pregnancy Hormones: What’s Flooding Your Body (and Why)
Pregnant woman
Pregnancy is a time of astonishing transformation. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, your body becomes the setting for one of life’s greatest feats—creating and nurturing new life. But behind every physical change, every emotional wave, and every flutter of new sensation, there’s a powerful hormonal symphony playing just beneath the surface.
What Are Pregnancy Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers—tiny but mighty substances that regulate nearly every process in your body. During pregnancy, hormone levels shift dramatically, orchestrating everything from the implantation of a fertilised egg to milk production after birth. These changes can feel overwhelming, but they are essential for a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Understanding what’s happening in your body is not just empowering—it’s transformative. And this knowledge is something every parent deserves access to.
🤰 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) – The “I’m Pregnant!” Hormone
hCG is the very first hormone to rise during pregnancy. It’s produced by the placenta shortly after implantation and is the hormone that turns a pregnancy test positive.
Why it matters:
Maintains progesterone production early on
Helps establish the pregnancy
Plays a role in nausea and vomiting during the first trimester
How it feels:
This hormone is often responsible for those early pregnancy symptoms—nausea, food aversions, and extreme fatigue. Your body is shouting: “There’s a baby on board!”
🛡️ Progesterone – The Pregnancy Protector
Progesterone is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It’s produced initially by the corpus luteum (a temporary structure in the ovaries), and later by the placenta.
Why it matters:
Keeps the uterine lining thick and receptive
Prevents uterine contractions too early
Supports immune system adaptation
How it feels:
It’s calming and grounding, but also slows down digestion—leading to common symptoms like bloating, constipation, and breast tenderness.
🌺 Oestrogen – The Master Builder
Oestrogen levels skyrocket during pregnancy. This hormone supports baby’s organ development and helps increase blood flow to the uterus and placenta.
Why it matters:
Stimulates uterine growth and blood supply
Prepares breasts for breastfeeding
Affects mood, skin, and sensitivity
How it feels:
Many of your emotional ups and downs come from this hormone. It’s also linked to the “pregnancy glow,” but can contribute to headaches or skin changes too.
🌿 Relaxin – The Space Maker
Relaxin lives up to its name by softening ligaments and preparing the pelvis for birth.
Why it matters:
Allows pelvic joints to stretch and open
Aids in cardiovascular changes
Helps the uterus adapt to growth
How it feels:
It can lead to looseness in the joints, pelvic girdle pain, and backache—but it’s doing the essential job of making space for your baby and the birth process.
🍼 Prolactin & Oxytocin – Preparing You to Love and Nourish
As you near birth, prolactin and oxytocin become key players.
Prolactin prepares your breasts to produce milk.
Oxytocin is the hormone of love, touch, and bonding—it also stimulates uterine contractions in labour and supports breastfeeding.
Why they matter:
Promote bonding between mother and baby
Drive labour and milk production
Reduce stress and increase feelings of calm
How they feel:
You may feel more connected, emotional, or instinctively nurturing. Oxytocin levels rise with affection, touch, and positive social interaction—making antenatal education, massage, and supportive environments all the more beneficial.
Why This Knowledge Matters
Understanding the hormonal shifts of pregnancy helps you feel more informed, resilient, and connected to your body. Rather than being blindsided by unexpected symptoms, you’ll be equipped to recognise them for what they are: signals that your body is doing exactly what it needs to.
At The Bubba & Me Club, we believe that antenatal education should go beyond the textbook. Our courses in Tunbridge Wells, the South East, and online are designed to support the whole person—body, mind, and heart.
We dive deep into the biology, but we also hold space for the emotions and experiences that come with this transformative time. Pregnancy is more than physical—it’s profoundly human.
Join Our Antenatal Classes in Tunbridge Wells or Online
If you want to feel more confident, calm, and connected during your pregnancy, our evidence-based antenatal classes are here for you.
Whether you’re based in Tunbridge Wells, anywhere in Kent, East Sussex, or prefer to learn from the comfort of your home, we offer in-person and online antenatal education to meet you where you are.
👶 Learn more about:
Pregnancy anatomy & physiology
Labour and birth preparation
Hormonal stages of pregnancy
Birth partner support
Postnatal recovery and baby care
