Estrogen (Estradiol) Levels During Pregnancy

Estradiol is more widely known as estrogen, the female reproductive hormone. It plays a part in mood stabilization, temperature control, and other body functions, though it is most well-known as the pregnancy and menopause hormone. ... read more »

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

Suffering from a brief bout of mild depression is common for women who have just given birth. Some women will fight through the depression and come out within a few weeks feeling better than ever before. Other women will suffer from baby blues symptoms that lead to a deeper more clinical-style depression. ... read more »

Headaches During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period can be the first sign of more serious issues requiring immediate evaluation and treatment. ... read more »

Leg Pain and Cramps in Pregnancy

Sharp pains in the legs, especially the calf muscles, are just a part of pregnancy. Like any other pregnancy aches, hormones are probably to blame for some of the pain, but other factors are certainly part of these irritating nightly occurrences as well. ... read more »

Linea Nigra and Pregnancy

Linea Nigra is the medical term for that dark line that appears during pregnancy. The line often starts at the belly button and ends at the public bone. ... read more »

Baby Blues Symptoms and Postpartum Depression

Suffering from a brief bout of mild depression is common for women who have just given birth. Some women will fight through the depression and come out within a few weeks feeling better than ever before. Other women will suffer from baby blues symptoms that lead to a deeper more clinical-style depression. ... read more »

Gums, Bleeding and Sore

In the mouth, swollen and bleeding gums during pregnancy are just a side-effect of higher hormone levels that nearly every pregnant woman must suffer with. ... read more »

Forgetfulness

Pregnancy induced forgetfulness is a common part of having a baby. It is not uncommon, however, for women to forget things that seem imprinted on the brain like their own cell phone number or home address. ... read more »

Energy, Increased

Some women experience extra energy during pregnancy that is oftencalled the 'nesting instinct'. Nesting often occurs closer to the end of pregnancy, but is not uncommon for the duration of gestation. ... read more »

Flatulence and Gas

Though flatulence doesn't fall under the umbrella of "beautiful aspects" it is a common symptom during pregnancy. ... read more »

Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction

Relaxin is the hormone responsible for the weird feelings and pain associated with symphysis pubic dysfunction. Relaxin works to loosen ligaments and joints in preparation for giving birth. ... read more »

Migraines

Headaches and migraines are completely different creatures of pain. Migraines cause extreme head pains and can leave moms-to-be writhing in the dark. While hormones are thought to be part of the cause, there are other causes for migraines as well. ... read more »

Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia) During Pregnancy

Hormone changes affect a woman's sense of smell, so why would the sense of taste not be affected as well? Estrogen fluctuates widely during pregnancy, which could mean a nasty metallic taste in the mouth, also known as dysgeusia. ... read more »

Sweating Postpartum

After giving birth, the same hormones that helped you retain fluids throughout your pregnancy, help you get rid of a all that extra fluid by any means such as sweating and urinating. ... read more »

Braxton Hicks Contractions And False Labor

Braxton Hicks contractions aka false labor pains are the body's way of preparing for birth. For new moms and seasoned mothers-to-be alike, it can be difficult to know if labor is beginning or not. ... read more »

Labor Contractions

Labor contractions are the body's way of saying, 'Let's get ready tohave a baby!' and are caused by hormones in the body. Labor contractions come in three forms: false, practice and activelabor. ... read more »

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness, nausea and vomiting can be among the first pregnancy symptoms and signs beginning around 4 weeks to 6 weeks gestation. ... read more »

Most Common Pains During Pregnancy

When conception occurs, pregnancy hormones kick into overdrive and cause some serious changes in the female body. These changes are not limited to promoting the healthy growth of the baby. ... read more »

Normal hCG Levels

When a blood pregnancy test is run, the hCG level will be reported to the obstetrician. This level will give the doctor a look into the age and the health of the pregnancy. ... read more »

hCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin During Pregnancy

You will find here hCG levels and all the hCG information and facts about the pregnancy hormone which increases by at least 60% every 2 days until it reaches 1,200 mIU/ml. ... read more »