Normal Hormone Levels in Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones help your body to support your developing infant and set up 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.

 

 

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

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

The American Pregnancy Association reports that HCG levels should twofold at regular intervals 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.

 

Progesterone

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

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 run from 49 to 300 ng/ml. Progesterone levels should build 1 to 3 ng/ml at regular intervals

 

Other Pregnancy Hormones

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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