Let's learn about the amazing hormone 'Relaxin' in your body. How important is it during pregnancy?

Have you ever heard of a hormone called 'Relaxin'? Maybe not. But, especially if you're a woman, this hormone plays a very important role in your body, especially when you're about to become a mother. Today, let's talk a little more about this amazing hormone, like talking to a friend.

What is Relaxin? Why is it important to us?

Simply put, Relaxin is a hormone that plays a very important role in our bodies, especially in the reproductive system of women. Its main job is to "relax" the ligaments and muscles in our bodies, that is, to loosen them and increase their elasticity. Your body also produces this Relaxin during your menstrual cycle . During this time, its purposes are:

• Relaxing your uterus .
• Since a fertilized embryo needs to implant in the uterus (`(Implantation)`), the uterine lining needs to be prepared for it.
• Preventing unwanted contractions of the uterus.

Imagine, if you don't get pregnant in a given menstrual cycle, your levels of Relaxin will drop until the next menstrual cycle. However, if you do get pregnant, your levels not only stay high, but they also increase throughout the first trimester (the first 12 weeks) of pregnancy. During pregnancy, as your baby grows, it is this Relaxin that helps your body stretch to accommodate it. Your ovaries produce Relaxin even before you get pregnant. It increases in the second half of your menstrual cycle. As mentioned earlier, it prepares the lining of the uterus so that implantation can occur if fertilization occurs. Relaxin also helps prevent the uterus from contracting unnecessarily during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, your levels of Relaxin will continue to rise. This is because the placenta starts producing Relaxin. The placenta is the organ that provides food, nutrition, and oxygen to your baby during pregnancy. Relaxin levels peak between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. As your baby grows in your uterus, Relaxin helps your body stretch to accommodate it. When you are about to give birth, your pelvis needs to relax so that the baby can come out easily. This hormone is also important for this. Not only that, but Relaxin also helps prepare your cervix for labor and delivery.

What special things does the hormone Relaxin do during pregnancy?

Relaxin plays a special role in relaxing your muscles, ligaments, and joints during pregnancy. Here's what it does:

• It helps prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo .
• If the embryo implants, the placenta helps it develop.
• It relaxes the muscles of the uterus, preventing preterm labor and unwanted contractions.
• As the uterus grows, the ligaments loosen to allow for it.
• Makes your abdominal muscles more flexible.
• Blood vessels relax to accommodate the increased blood volume during pregnancy.
• It helps your pelvis relax before the baby is born.
• It helps your cervix soften and open (expand) before the baby is born.

Does Relaxin affect other parts of our body?

Some studies have shown that the hormone relaxin can help heal scar tissue, which means it can reduce tissue thickening. This means that relaxin may also have some effect on scar tissue in the heart or lungs. Relaxin may also reduce inflammation and help wounds heal. It may also affect your blood pressure. Studies show that it relaxes blood vessels and helps new blood vessels form.

When does relaxin start to be produced during pregnancy? Where does it come from?

Relaxin is produced even before you become pregnant. It is present in low levels in the body until ovulation, and then it starts to increase. When you become pregnant, relaxin production increases suddenly, reaching its peak by the end of the first trimester.Then, it decreases slightly for the rest of your pregnancy, but increases again as you get closer to delivery. Researchers think this last increase is to help your pelvis relax and dilate your cervix. Relaxin is released by your ovaries in the second half of your menstrual cycle. If you get pregnant during that cycle, the placenta will start to release relaxin. No one really knows exactly why your body releases relaxin. It may be something that is controlled by itself, or it may be dependent on other hormones, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). These hormones, LH and HCG, are secreted by the pituitary gland, and they are very important for pregnancy and the development of the placenta.

What does the hormone Relaxin feel like when you have it in your body?

You don't usually feel the hormone Relaxin, and it doesn't cause pain. But some people think that its "relaxing" properties can cause gastrointestinal issues. This is because it prevents the intestines from contracting normally. This can cause things like constipation, bloating, or indigestion during pregnancy. Relaxin can also weaken your pelvic floor. This can affect your bladder control. Your spine and pelvis become loose, which can affect your posture.

Important: Relaxin makes your body flexible during pregnancy, which is great for your baby's growth and delivery. However, this also makes you more prone to injuries and sprains. So you need to be very careful during pregnancy, as your body can become a little unstable. It's best to do light exercise and avoid lifting heavy objects.

Is it a problem if relaxin increases or decreases?

Yes, relaxin can increase or decrease. However, there is not much research yet on the effects of increased or decreased relaxin. Some studies have shown that if there is too much relaxin, the membranes can rupture prematurely, leading to premature labor. It is also said that if relaxin levels are low, a condition called scleroderma can occur, but there is not enough research on this yet. Scleroderma is a condition in which your skin thickens and hardens. It is also not proven whether relaxin causes other diseases. There is some evidence that women with endometriosis have low levels of relaxin. Other studies suggest that relaxin may cause heavy bleeding during menstruation. More research is needed to confirm this.

Can Relaxin cause joint pain?

Many people do not feel the effects of Relaxin. However, sometimes Relaxin can cause pelvic pain during pregnancy. This is called Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain ( PGP). This can cause pain when you climb stairs, get out of a car, roll over in bed, or stand on one leg. The places you may feel pain with PGP are:

• In your lower abdomen, at the level of your hipbone, in front of your pubic bone.
• In the lower part of your back, on one side or both sides.
• In the area called the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus).
• On the inside of your thigh.

Relaxin causes the muscles and ligaments around your pelvis, back, and abdomen to become very loose. This can make you feel weak and unsteady. Wearing a belly band during pregnancy can provide extra support and help you maintain proper posture.

Is Relaxin still present in the body after having a baby?

After having a baby, your body's Relaxin levels decrease, but they remain low for a few months. Some sources say it can take up to 12 months for Relaxin to return to its pre-pregnancy levels. This means that your ligaments and joints are still loose, so you need to continue to be careful when exercising. If you're breastfeeding, the effects of Relaxin may last even longer.

So, what are the most important things we should remember from this story?

Relaxin is a hormone that plays a very special role in your body, especially during pregnancy. It relaxes your joints, muscles, and ligaments, increasing their elasticity. This helps your body expand during pregnancy and makes it a little easier to deliver the baby.

Most people do not experience any side effects from Relaxin. However, it can sometimes cause pain and increase the risk of injury. If you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy, it is best to talk to your doctor to make sure it is not something serious. Remember, your doctor is the one who can give you the best advice.