Hormones and the Placenta

By Danni Brewer

Explain postpartum hormonal fluctuations and how hormones impact women during their postpartum recovery. How does this impact their mental and/or emotional state after birth? During pregnancy the placenta is responsible for many functions including that of hormonal production. When the placenta detaches during the birthing process there is a sudden drop in the production of hormones in which it was responsible for, thus causing hormonal fluctuations during the postpartum period. Some of these hormones include Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Cortisol, Thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), Prolactin, Progesterone, oxytocin and Vasopressin. The fluctuation of these hormones postpartum has been linked to emotional disorders as they influence mood and emotions. The Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a hormone which helps us to combat stress. During late pregnancy the placenta produces a vast amount of the CRH, almost 3 times more than a nonpregnant woman produces. George Chrousos, the endocrinologist who led the NIH study stated "We can only speculate, but we think it helps women go through the stress of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. The production of the CRH triggers the release of another hormone called Cortisol. Cortisol helps to maintain normal blood pressure by increasing blood sugar levels. This aids in performance when under stress. These levels drop dramatically after birth, and one study found that those women with the lowest levels of CRH also experienced depressive symptoms (Chrousos 1995). Estrogen is typically produced by the ovaries but is also secreted through the placenta during pregnancy. Estrogen levels drop dramatically and return to pre-pregnancy levels by approximately day 5 postpartum. The increased levels of Estrogen that are produced during pregnancy stimulate the secretion of the Thyroid hormone. High estrogen levels during pregnancy stimulate production of thyroid hormone-binding globulin, leading to a rise in levels of bound T3(triiodothyronine) and T4(thyroxine) and a simultaneous drop in levels of free T3and T4. (Hendrick et al.). Progesterone is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy and maintaining the pregnancy also. Once pregnancy has initiated progesterone is produced by the placenta and prepares the breasts for lactation. Approximately 3 days post birth there is a sudden drop in progesterone which stimulates the release of prolactin and in turn results in the production of breast milk. One study of 147 women at 68 weeks postpartum found lower prolactin levels in the depressed breast-feeding women than in the non-depressed breast-feeding women. (Hendrick et al.). The love hormone Oxytocin is responsible for the maternal instincts of love and adoration. It also plays a big role during pregnancy and postpartum. Oxytocin stimulates labour contractions and also helps the uterus to return to its normal size postpartum. It is considered a Pituitary hormone. Another hormone produced by the Pituitary glands is Vasopressin. Vasopressin balances electrolytes in the body and also regulates blood pressure. There have been minimal studies done on these two hormones in the relation to the sudden decline of these hormones post birth in connection to mental health. During postpartum recovery the fluctuating hormones can affect a fragile new mothers emotional state, no doubt. Many of the hormones associated with pregnancy create a feel good effect but as the levels rapidly decline postpartum there is an obvious effect on mood and emotions. In the numerous studies that were referenced into the text above, it is fair to conclude that women who

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Hormones and the Placenta

By Danni Brewer

have depressive symptoms did in fact have lower levels of these hormones. This confirms a direct link between hormones and emotional and mental state of mothers during the postpartum recovery period.

Describe how placenta capsules can be beneficial for women during this time. Be as specific as possible, while drawing on the research papers you have read. Many hormones and vitamins are produced by the placenta during pregnancy and the majority of these still remain after the placenta has been processed into capsules. It is believed that the consumption of the placenta can help restore vitamins and hormones that have been depleted through the birthing process. In saying this, the consumption of the placenta may benefit the mother significantly during the postpartum period by assisting in balancing the hormones also aiding in reducing the severity in which the hormones decrease. Consequently, consuming encapsulated placenta would make the postpartum transition emotionally easier on the mother by allowing her to adjust to the hormonal changes gradually.

Additional cited articles. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/pregnancy/

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Hormones and the Placenta

By Danni Brewer

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/thyroid_preg.html http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/progesterone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_gland

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