News Moms Need

Hormones are the chemicals within the body that send signals to set off various functions.  Rising and falling levels of different hormones are essential in reproduction, pregnancy and birth.  Here are the main ones involved in having a baby:

Estrogen and progesterone – Prior to pregnancy, these are produced in the ovaries and they tell the lining of the uterus to thicken during each menstrual cycle.  And they tell the lining to cast itself off if pregnancy does not occur. Once an egg is fertilized, increasing levels of estrogen and progesterone prevent ovulation from occurring again.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) – These hormones are made by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.  FSH causes an egg to ripen in one of the ovaries and LH triggers the egg’s release.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) – Also produced in the pituitary gland, this hormone signals the production of FSH and LH.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – This hormone is produced by the fertilized and dividing/growing egg.  It tells the body to increase estrogen and progesterone production.  This is the hormone that pregnancy tests look for in a urine sample (approx. 6-12 days after fertilization).

Rising and lowering hormone levels are essential for the process of reproduction and the maintenance of pregnancy.  What’s important is that the individual hormones rise and fall in a coordinated dance with masterful timing.  Pretty impressive stuff.

Elevated estrogen levels during pregnancy can be great for fingernails.  The hormonal surge helps strengthen the nails and makes them grow faster. But for some women they can become too brittle or soft, causing them to crack more.  My nails were in great shape while I was pregnant.  Later I thought something was wrong when they started bending and chipping again.  Nope, it’s just that my hormones had returned to their normal levels and so had my nails.

During these tough financial times, I’m always trying to save a buck.  But, with all that I do for everyone else, I’ve realized that I need to treat myself occasionally, too.  I’ve decided to get a manicure every once in a while.  I like it, my nails like it, and it doesn’t break the bank.

Yeast infections (candidiasis) are caused by the organism candida albicans.  It is normally present in small amounts in the vagina, along with many other organisms.  Pregnancy can throw a curve ball into the delicate balance of the vaginal environment.  Increased estrogen levels create changes in your vaginal surroundings, sometimes allowing yeast to grow out of control.

Most of us have a pretty good idea when we have a yeast infection, but not always.  Symptoms, which aren’t always present, include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, itching or burning, redness around the vagina, and it may be very uncomfortable, even painful to urinate.  Despite how lousy this makes you feel, the good news is that it won’t hurt your baby and it can be treated.

Try the usual tactics of wearing white cotton underwear (too boring? at least wear underwear with a cotton crotch), wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid wearing damp clothes like bathing suits or sweats, do not douche, cut back on your sugar intake as sugar encourages yeast to grow, and eat yogurt.  Yogurt contains lactobacillus acidophilus that may help balance the bacteria in your system.

If that doesn’t work, don’t wait too long to see your health care provider.  There are over-the-counter antifungal creams and suppositories you can get to treat a yeast infection, but your doc will want to confirm that’s what you have, and not something else, before you start using them.  If you have had trouble with a yeast infection before, you might have taken a pill to get it under control.  During pregnancy, providers prefer a woman use topical treatment rather than pills that have not yet been proven safe during pregnancy.  Unfortunately, a yeast infection can be very stubborn during pregnancy and return just when you think it’s gone.  Don’t get discouraged, let your provider know and keep treating it.  You may have to wait until after delivery when your hormones calm down, but it eventually will go away.