Progesterone creates feelings of fatigue and can be responsible for the increased need for sleep that pregnant women present. Its presence may cause a rise in basal temperature as well as breathing rate.

Relaxin allows the pregnant woman to become more flexible, so she may feel that she can stretch further than before. Make sure to stretch slowly and carefully as overstretching may cause injury or may cause laxity to prolong even after birth, which may produce higher injury rates after pregnancy.

Growth hormones are present in order to support the development of the foetus. These pass through mother’s own blood supply and can actually help to enhance strength gains during pregnancy by incorporating resistance exercises in one’s exercise programme.