While progesterone during pregnancy is important, as is estrogen during pregnancy, progesterone is especially vital before pregnancy. Progesterone prepares a women’s uterus for the implantation of an egg, helps maintain a safe pregnancy and prevents further ovulation during pregnancy. Without progesterone, pregnancy would be impossible.
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a female hormone that is released by the corpus luteum, a follicle from the egg and is one of the signs of ovulation. During the menstruation cycle, progesterone levels consistently rise and fall. The level of progesterone during pregnancy has a large role for a healthy pregnancy and well-being of the mom. However, the progesterone production is discontinued if the egg is not fertilized.
The Importance of Progesterone of Pregnancy
If fertilization takes place, the embryo will then begin releasing HCG to the corpus luteum, telling it to continue producing progesterone. It is essential that your body produces progesterone during the first 8 to 10 weeks of your pregnancy, as it begins and maintains the building and thickening of the wall of the uterus for egg implantation.
Progesterone is Protective
Once the implantation takes place, the placenta then provides the production of progesterone. The hormone contributes to protecting the fetus from any unwanted cells, increasing the strength of the cervix and, stimulates the milk-producing breast glands, is responsible for strengthening the mucus plug, which covers the cervix to fight infection, and can prevent early contractions, resulting in a miscarriage.
Lessening of Progesterone Signals Birth
The body protects the fetus by secreting ten to fifteen times more progesterone during pregnancy. As the pregnancy comes to an end, progesterone levels drop causing stimulating contractions of the uterus. These contractions will be the beginning signs of the birthing process.
Low Level Before and During Pregnancy, Not Good
A low level of progesterone during pregnancy is called “corpus luteum deficiency”. A deficit in the level of progesterone during pregnancy causes the lining of the uterus to begin to shed, which can initiate miscarriage symptoms. Women with infertility issues or miscarriages often produce low levels of progesterone and therefore have difficulties getting or remaining pregnant.
Progesterone Supplementation
Progesterone supplementation may be required in order to bring a woman into levels of safety. If a woman has an autoimmune problem, she may require supplementation for as long as sixteen weeks into her pregnancy. The half-life in the blood is very short with progesterone supplements, and within 4 minutes, progesterone begins to be excreted into the urine.
There are three possible avenues for delivery of progesterone supplementation. Vaginal suppositories, being the most efficient route, will produce the best blood levels and longest survival of the progesterone. Taking injections of progesterone is the second best route, followed by taking it by mouth as the least effective way.
A blood test can detect low progesterone levels. If the test results indicate low levels, this could be a warning of a possible miscarriage. On the other hand, an increased level of progesterone during pregnancy can indicate problems as well. You may experience heartburn, blurry eyes, constipation, runny nose, as well as an increased chance of kidney infections. It is very important for you to discuss your levels of progesterone during pregnancy with your doctor.
Tags: corpus luteum, healthy pregnancy, menstruation cycle, mucus plug, pregnancy progesterone, progesterone, progesterone production, signs of ovulation, stimulating contractions, unwanted cells