Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery

Estrogen

Peaks trimester 3, triggers placental/uterine growth, activates breast tissue

Progesterone

Peaks trimester 3, maintains uterine lining, suppresses myometrial contractions, milk duct differentiation, suppresses lactation

hCG

Peaks trimester 1, maintains corpus luteum

Relaxin

Peaks trimester 1, relaxes ligaments and pelvic flexibility

Oxytocin

Peaks around labor, stimulates uterine contracts, milk ejection reflex

Nausea/Vomiting

hCG, first trimester

Heartburn/Acid Reflux

Progesterone and relaxin relax esophageal sphincter

Breast tenderness/swelling

Estrogen and progesterone

Fatigue

Increased metabolic needs, progesterone daytime sleepiness/inhibits nighttime sleep

Frequent urination

Kidneys processing fetal waste + extra fluids

Increased pigmentation

Estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanocytes

Constipation

Progesterone slows digestion; uterine pressure on intestines

Diastasis Recti

Abdominal muscle separation from fetal growth/relaxin

Sciatica

Nerve compression