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Breastfeeding Assignment # 4 - HormonesEstrogenBreast development starts when a female approaches their teen years. When the ovaries start to produce and release estrogen, the fat in the connective tissue starts to collect. This is what causes the breast to enlarge. This is also when the duct system starts to grow. Estrogen also plays a role within pregnancy and lactation. Once the mother’s placenta is delivered, her estrogen levels drop. This drop of estrogen levels help to initiate milk production. This usually occurs within 2-3 days after birth. The low estrogen levels can also cause ovulation to be suppressed which in return, stops a woman from menstruating. Vaginal dryness, as well as a decreased libido from low estrogen levels can also happen. ProgesteroneProgesterone is released from the female’s ovaries and adrenal glands. The first half of a women’s menstrual cycle, after the release of the egg, the corpus luteum in the ovaries produce progesterone to create a viable environment for the egg. During pregnancy, the high levels of progesterone inhibit milk secretion and keep the “volume” down. It causes the formation of milk glands during pregnancy. The placenta now takes over producing progesterone. After birth, progesterone levels decrease like estrogen levels, which helps to promote the production of milk. ProlactinOnce the placenta is delivered and progesterone levels decrease, the high levels of prolactin “cues lactogenesis II (copious milk production). Prolactin must be present in order for milk production to begin. When baby suckles ok mothers’ breasts, prolactin is also released. Prolactin controls milk production. Prolactin can also suppress ovulation in women who breastfeed regularly. Prolactin levels will decrease once a mother starts to wean their baby. OxytocinOxytocin levels in young girls can cause them to start puberty early. In pregnant women, oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary gland within the brain. Oxytocin gets released when baby starts to suckle on mother’s breasts. It also controls the release or let down of milk from the milk ducts.AdrenalineWhen a mother is stressed, adrenaline gets activated. Adrenaline can inhibit spontaneous or oxytocin contractions of the mother’s uterus which could delay the second stage of labor. This hormone can potentially affect a mother’s milk supply and the contents of the milk. Though not directly, it can cause a mother to not eat or sleep which then in return does affect milk supply. CortisolCortisol is a stress activated hormone. Cortisol could potentially delay puberty. After the placenta is delivered cortisol comes into play. Its role in the production of milk is not yet understood. But it has been found that cortisol can be passed to baby through breastmilk. ................
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