A woman's body is said to be susceptible to the rhythm of the moon, temperature differences, and changes in the environment. Pregnancy and postpartum are the times when hormonal balance changes dramatically.

Therefore, this series will be delivered over 3 times with the theme of women's body troubles. In the second installment, we interviewed Ms. Hanako Shimizu, director of the Tama Center Women's Clinic, on the theme of "pregnancy and childbirth." Please also pay attention to the intake of supplements during this period.

Much higher levels of progesterone during pregnancy

In Part 1, "How to Deal with Female Hormones", female hormones include "estrogen (follicular hormone)" and "progesterone (luteinizing hormone)," and the body and mind of women secrete these two hormones. We talked about how it depends a lot on balance. Pregnancy changes that balance.

“Normally, after ovulation, the progesterone level in a woman rises and then tapers off before her period. and Mr. Shimizu.
As I mentioned last time, progesterone is a hormone that causes discomfort and skin problems such as swelling and constipation. Pregnancy is associated with PMS (premenstrual syndrome)-like symptoms.

“In addition to the discomfort of morning sickness, swelling of the body, constipation, and poor blood circulation, it also works to promote the production of melanin, which makes pigmentation easier, making spots and freckles more noticeable. , beauty concerns tend to increase.” It will be a difficult time in many ways.

Nutrition is a concern during early pregnancy

When you can't eat due to sickness such as morning sickness, you're worried about nutrition. There must be a lot of mothers in a hurry saying, "I have to eat for my baby."
“In the very early stages of pregnancy, the placenta is not yet fully formed, so the bond between the baby and the mother is not very strong. When you have morning sickness, don't worry about "I couldn't eat this or that, what should I do?" You can go."
By the way, at Dr. Shimizu's clinic, it seems that pregnant women with severe morning sickness are treated with prescriptions of Chinese herbal medicines and intravenous drips.
"When it's hard, it's better not to put up with it and consult a doctor."

The severity of these symptoms, such as morning sickness, varies from person to person, apparently because of a variety of factors.
“It is thought that there is also a problem with the immune system. Babies are like a foreign body, and the mother's body, which is not used to pregnancy, reacts. It seems that there are many cases where morning sickness gets lighter as you get used to it.It seems that the male factor is also an influence, and it is said that the symptoms differ depending on the partner.”

Are supplements available during pregnancy and after childbirth? "none"?

Pregnancy period when you must avoid the things you took before pregnancy, such as alcohol and raw food. Should I avoid supplements?
“There is no problem,” said Dr. Shimizu. But there seems to be a trick to how to take it.
“It seems that many pregnant women take folic acid supplements, but in fact, folic acid is meaningless unless you take it before pregnancy. Nervous tube is not formed properly).Nervous tube is formed relatively early after pregnancy, so if you do not drink well before pregnancy, it will not lead to prevention. It can be taken after pregnancy to prevent anemia in the mother, but considering the primary purpose, it is best to take it before pregnancy.”

And I want to take vitamin C positively.
"By the time you reach the 20th week of pregnancy, you'll start to notice changes in your beauty."

Dr. Shimizu also says that changes in hormone balance after childbirth have a big impact on women.
“Female hormones that were abundant during pregnancy suddenly drop to levels close to menopause immediately after childbirth.Estrogen (ovarian hormone), which is said to be the beautifying hormone, drops dramatically, causing skin dryness and pigmentation. I think many people are concerned about thinning hair after giving birth, but this is also the effect of female hormones.”
It is important to take good care of your skin while you are pregnant and take nutritional supplements for your skin.

summary

Female hormones are essential for a woman to live, and they change dynamically during pregnancy and childbirth. It will also affect your mental health, and you will probably feel more stress than usual.
Vitamin C, which cannot be synthesized in the body and is depleted in the slightest, should be proactively supplemented with supplements.


Ms. Hanako Shimizu
Director of Tama Center Ladies Clinic. Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist/Preceptor, Certified Cancer Treatment Doctor, Gynecologic Oncologist. She sincerely faces the wide-ranging problems of women, not only of age, but also of each individual, and strives to diagnose and treat more women so that they can lead a comfortable life.

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