During the bearing of the baby, the woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes. The body of the fair sex becomes more feminine: the stomach and hips are rounded, the breast is enlarged. In addition to external transformations, a lot of internal changes can be noted. They are completely invisible to an outsider, but they appear already in the second week of pregnancy (immediately after the ovum leaves the female ovary).
Hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother
Surely everyone knows from the school biology course that immediately after menstruation, the fair sex hormones are produced that affect the growth of follicles. When the formation reaches a certain size, it breaks and releases the female reproductive cell. In place of the bursting sac, a yellow body forms , which begins to produce progesterone.
The role of progesterone in the female body
It is worth saying that without this hormone pregnancy is impossible. Progesterone, produced after ovulation, has a beneficial effect on the genital organ, increasing the endometrium in it. After fertilization, the hormone level rises and supports the development of the embryo.
Progesterone increases during pregnancy by week. It supports the normal tone of the uterine muscle and positively affects the nervous system of a pregnant woman. It is worth noting that the hormone progesterone during pregnancy is initially produced by the corpus luteum and adrenal glands. Later, after about 12 weeks, the placenta begins to produce this substance. During this period, the reverse transformation of the corpus luteum begins, which completely disappears by the middle of the term.
Pregnancy Progesterone Weekly
Doctors recommend taking a blood test to determine the amount of certain hormones for some women who are in an “interesting position”. This is necessary to monitor the course of pregnancy. In case of deviations from the norm, a correction is made that avoids problems in the future. So, what is the rate of progesterone during pregnancy by week?
First trimester
This is the most critical period. To begin with, it is worth saying that the following weeks of pregnancy are included in this time period:
- fifth;
- sixth;
- seventh;
- the eighth;
- the ninth;
- tenth;
- eleventh;
- twelfth;
- thirteenth;
- fourteenth.
The norm of progesterone during pregnancy by week (nmol / L) is in the range from 8.9 to 468.4. During this period of time, doctors especially carefully monitor the level of this substance in the blood of the fair sex.
Second trimester
If you did not have indications for taking an analysis to determine the level of progesterone in the first trimester, then most likely you will not receive such a recommendation. The same pregnant women who had to study the amount of the substance in the blood in the early stages of pregnancy may have to face such an analysis during this period of time. It is worth saying what weeks of pregnancy include the second trimester:
- fifteenth;
- sixteenth;
- seventeenth;
- eighteenth;
- nineteenth;
- twentieth;
- twenty first;
- twenty second;
- twenty third;
- twenty fourth;
- twenty fifth;
- twenty sixth.
The norm of progesterone during pregnancy in the weeks mentioned above is in the range from 71.5 to 303.1 nmol / L. All values that fall within the specified interval are normal.
Third trimester
During this time period, an analysis to determine the level of progesterone in the blood of a future mother is carried out quite rarely, however, there are generally accepted norms for this period. The third trimester includes the following weeks of pregnancy:
- twenty-seventh;
- twenty-eighth;
- twenty-ninth;
- thirtieth;
- thirty first;
- thirty second;
- thirty third;
- thirty-fourth;
- thirty fifth;
- thirty-sixth;
- thirty-seventh;
- thirty-eighth;
- thirty-ninth;
- fortieth;
- forty-first;
- forty-second.
The rate of progesterone during pregnancy in the weeks indicated above varies from 88.7 to 771.5 nmol / L. Values that fit into these indicators are considered normal.
Deciphering the results
After you receive the result of the analysis, it must be correctly decrypted. It is preferable if this is done by a specialist. At the same time, the doctor can give you recommendations and, if necessary, prescribe hormonal drugs.
All laboratories, when issuing the result to the patient, indicate their standards. Without this, it is quite difficult to determine what is the rate of progesterone during pregnancy by week. A table of numerical values is always attached to the result of the analysis. It is from it that it is necessary to determine the obtained value. It is worth saying that in different medical institutions, the progesterone norm during pregnancy by week (table) may vary.
Units
In addition to laboratory standards, you need to take into account the units in which your results are presented. There are times when a person has lost a laboratory chart or it simply has not been issued. What to do in this case?
The norm of progesterone during pregnancy (weekly) ng / ml can be converted to nmol / L. This can help a person understand his analysis and draw the right conclusions. So, if you are presented with a result of 100 ng / ml. How to convert it to a more common unit of measurement?
For a correct calculation, use the following formula: multiply the numerical value of ng / ml by 3.03. As a result, you will get the amount of progesterone in nmol / L. We will calculate: 100 ng / ml, multiply by 3.03 = 303 nmol / L.
In a similar way, you can calculate and find out what is the rate of progesterone during pregnancy by week (ng / ml).
The first trimester of bearing a child determines the following values: from 12.36 to 80.60 ng / ml.
The second period is in the numerical range from 19.59 to 77.0 ng / ml.
The third trimester is characterized by values ranging from 63.8 to 246 ng / ml.
Deviation from the norm
There are times when the result does not fit into the norm. In this case, progesterone is elevated during pregnancy or lowered. What can this indicator mean?
Level up
Such values that do not fit into the norm may indicate an incorrect pregnancy. The doctor also suspects the formation of a corpus luteum cyst, malfunctioning of the adrenal glands or problems with the placenta.
Downgrade
Such a result, obtained during pregnancy, may indicate insufficient functioning of the corpus luteum. Also, the doctor may suspect problems with the adrenal glands. If you get too low a result, then perhaps there is a threat of termination of pregnancy, and you urgently need a medical correction. To restore the normal amount of substance in the female body, the doctor prescribes hormonal preparations: Dufaston tablets, Utrozhestan suppositories, Progesterone injections.
How to take analysis to get the right result?
Like any blood test, sampling should be done strictly on an empty stomach. Before passing the analysis, you must be calm and not worry. Try to have a good rest before the procedure and do not smoke.
If you take any hormonal drugs, then they must be canceled in a few days. The only exceptions are pregnant women. They can not cancel the prescribed drugs, especially progesterone. It is worth saying that some hormones are synthetic and are not detected in the analysis. Thus, in this case, you will get a result that is truly yours.
Conclusion
Each woman should conduct a study of hormone levels. This will help control the health of the reproductive system and the general condition of the body. During pregnancy, you must listen to the advice of a doctor and follow his recommendations. Pass all the prescribed tests and monitor your well-being. After the study, you must provide the doctor with the opportunity to decipher your results. Do not self-medicate, especially during the period of bearing the baby. After all, now you are responsible not only for your health, but also for the life of your unborn child.