Functions
Growth hormone in pregnancy and contributes to insulin resistance.
Human placental lactogens
Mammary gland development and milk prodcution
Prolactin
Secreted by the placenta, functions as an insulin antagonist, promoting maternal and placental tissue growth and creating physiological insulin resistance that increases glucose availability for the fetus.
Placental growth hormone
Glucose homeostasis, insulin regulation, structure/function changes of maternal organ systems, maternal cardiovascular changes, mammary gland development, and water and sodium retention.
Estrogen and progesterone
Causes fluid accumulation in the body, resulting in hypervolemia and edema
Aldosterone and cortisol
Rises early in pregnancy, maintains corpus luteum until placenta takes over pregnancy hormone production, basis for pregnancy testing.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Promotes nursing behavior, maternal/newborn bonding, and uterine smooth muscle contraction.
Oxytocin
Maternal vasodilation of blood vessels, decreases uterine contractility, promotes growth of uterus and placenta, and cervical softening.
Relaxin