What to know about pregnancy hormones

by Kaiser Permanente |
Young pregnant woman in a state of discomfort.

Your hormones start to shift soon after you get pregnant. Early on, you’ll have a very strong surge of progesterone. This is the same hormone that often makes people feel irritable, bloated, or tired before getting their period. Each person is different, so you may or may not experience these issues.

Fortunately, most of these symptoms go away within a few months. In the meantime, try to practice self-care activities you enjoy and rest as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids to help with bloat. Exercise can also help you feel better — just 30 minutes a day can help boost your energy level while also keeping you healthy.

If you’re having issues like bleeding, notify your clinician. They may suggest checking your hormone levels. This can help pinpoint the cause of any problems you may have.

This article has been created by a national group of Kaiser Permanente ob-gyns, certified nurse-midwives, pediatricians, lactation consultants and other specialists who came together to provide you with the best pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn information.

Some of the content is used and adapted with permission of The Permanente Medical Group.

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