Hormones from Pregnancy Through Post-Partum: What to Expect as a Surrogate and How to Make the Transition Smoother

By Kyla Helwig

In any woman’s pregnancy journey, hormones play a key role. This applies to surrogate mothers as well. However, hormones can cause some significant emotional and physical changes. This is why it is essential to understand what to expect throughout your surrogacy journey. Our agency makes sure that no woman has suffered from postpartum depression before becoming a surrogate. However, this doesn’t mean that surrogate mothers don’t experience any hormonal effects from the process. If you are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, understanding the effects of hormones is very important. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma has guided countless women through surrogacy. This is why we want to inform you of the hormonal effects of pregnancy and what you should expect as a surrogate mother.

What are the Most Important Hormones During Pregnancy?

There are many different hormones that are involved in a healthy pregnancy. Let’s take a look at how each of the functions:

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: This hormone is what turns a pregnancy test positive. It is essential in the early stages of pregnancy and is formed in your ovaries.
• Estrogen: If you’ve taken biology class, you’ve probably heard of this hormone. It’s often deemed the primary female hormone. This hormone rises throughout pregnancy and reaches its peak just before labor.
• Progesterone: This hormone is similar to estrogen–it rises throughout pregnancy. This hormone builds the uterine lining to get your womb ready for pregnancy throughout your pregnancy. In surrogacy, some mothers have to take this hormone as a medication to ensure a strong uterine lining.
• Prolactin: This hormone helps with the production of breast milk. It is often associated with some significant postpartum symptoms.

What Effects Do These Hormones Have During Pregnancy?

In the early stages of pregnancy, fluctuating hormones are responsible for causing some adverse side effects. For example, surrogate mothers might experience morning sickness, cravings, headaches, fatigue, etc. These early symptoms often fade as time goes on, but some other adverse effects occur. For example, women might experience aches and pains, dark spots on the skin, swelling, and sinus issues. In the final stage of pregnancy, many symptoms may accompany the rise in hormones. You may experience mood swings, swelling, heartburn, sleeplessness, etc. Some women experience all of the symptoms listed above. However, most women just share some of them. If you have had difficulties with pregnancy in the past, you may not want to become a surrogate mother. This is why all surrogate mothers are required to have had at least one child in the past.

What Effects Do These Hormones Have During Pregnancy?

Once the baby is born, the hormonal effects aren’t over. You may experience significant mood swings due to the drop in estrogen and progesterone. These hormones keep you happy and relaxed, and when they plummet, depression-like symptoms can sometimes ensue. Even if you don’t have a history of postpartum depression, you should always be aware of the possibility of a depressed mood. Additionally, some women experience hair loss during postpartum.

How Do I Prepare for These Hormonal Effects?

Although it isn’t easy to get rid of the effects of hormones altogether, there are ways to lessen them. First, make sure you eat balanced meals during pregnancy. Sometimes, women cut out certain food groups that seem to be causing hormonal reactions. Eating more protein and vegetables is always a good idea throughout pregnancy. You should also make sure you are getting some exercise throughout your pregnancy. Although you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, there are ways to move your body to keep you more balanced hormonally.

How To Start the Surrogacy Journey?

Surrogacy is a fantastic way for women to provide for a family using their bodies. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate mother, you should start by doing your research. There are several qualifications that surrogate mothers must fulfill before becoming surrogate mothers. As you consider your OK surrogacy options, reach out to our agency. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is a surrogacy and adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a leader in the community. We assist both intended parents and gestational carriers (surrogates). Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized experience to all involved in the surrogacy process. Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-201-6643 | Email