Normal Hormone Levels in Pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones help your body to nourish your growing baby and prepare your body for birth. Different hormones predominate at different times during pregnancy, and many of the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy can be blamed on those hormones. Normal hormone levels can range widely and if you have any concerns about your hormone levels you should discuss them with your doctor or midwife.
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
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HCG is the hormone responsible for getting that positive result on a home pregnancy test. Its rapid increase in the first trimester is a major reason for that morning sickness you may be feeling.
HCG Levels
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The American Pregnancy Association reports that HCG levels should double every 72 hours in early pregnancy. HCG levels will peak at 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy and remain steady for the rest of your pregnancy. Doctors consider an HCG level of less than 5mIU/ml as not pregnant and hormone levels may be as high as 288,000 mIU/ml at 12 weeks of pregnancy.
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Progesterone
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Progesterone helps to maintain your pregnancy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center an early miscarriage can sometimes be traced to low progesterone hormone levels.
Progesterone Levels
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Progesterone levels in the first trimester range from 9 to 47 nanograms per milliliter. During the second trimester hormone levels ranges from 17 to 146 ng/ml and during the third trimester they range from 49 to 300 ng/ml. Progesterone levels should increase 1 to 3 ng/ml every two days.
Other Pregnancy Hormones
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Estrogen performs several jobs during pregnancy including triggering increased blood supply and prompting fetal organ development. Oxytocin is responsible for starting your contractions and its levels peak during delivery.
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