The Role of the Hormone Relaxin in Pregnancy

Because of such high levels of the hormone known as relaxin during pregnancy, it's no surprise that you will notice a few interesting changes. Many pregnant women have reported achy joints, feeling off-balance, and becoming a little accident-prone—relaxin may be to blame. This hormone makes your ligaments and joints more elastic and pliable, reducing their stability.

Mobility is a must during pregnancy, so relaxin is actually a really good thing! Your uterus and skin must stretch as your baby grows; your breasts gently expand to prepare for the volume of breastmilk, and your blood vessels relax to accommodate the almost 50% increase in blood volume. Your body must work hard to circulate the blood to two people, as well as process waste products for two. Relaxin helps you adjust to this process by relaxing your blood vessels to increase blood flow, which carries nutrients into the placenta and waste out. Relaxin also promotes the ligaments of the pelvis to relax, so when the time comes, you can push your baby through!

THE EFFECTS OF RELAXIN DURING LABOUR

Relaxin doesn't just prepare your body for pregnancy: it sees you all the way through to the end. During labour, your cervix must become soft, stretchy, and eventually pliant enough to thin and dilate—the flow of relaxin contributes to these cervical changes. Your pelvis will also open, expand, and shift a bit as your baby wiggles their way down. Relaxin is on your side as your baby makes their journey down a small, tight space, giving them room and movement as they come to meet you.

Even though relaxin is an important part of your healthy pregnancy and birth, it can still trip us up, sometimes literally. Those loosey-goosey ligaments can contribute to back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, joint pain, and susceptibility to falls and injuries. Prenatal yoga, especially cat/cow position, can help ease your discomfort and is gentle on your body. Wear sturdy shoes, take your time on stairs and slippery areas to prevent injury, and consider seeing a physical therapist or prenatal chiropractor for more ideas on maintaining health and safety.

The relaxin hormone may seem a bit pesky sometimes, but when it gets you down, just take a deep breath and remember that your body is doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing: facilitating a healthy pregnancy and preparing your body for the birth of your baby.