Parity-Related Variation in Cortisol Concentrations in Hair During Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Prospective Cohort Study
June 2020
in “
Authorea (Authorea)
”
New to Hydrocortisone? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study observed that pregnant women experienced an increase in hair cortisol concentrations, with primiparae having significantly higher levels in the last trimester compared to multiparae.
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This study investigated hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in 390 pregnant women, measured monthly from gestational week 26 through postpartum. It found that cortisol levels increased during pregnancy, peaking around childbirth, with higher levels in first-time mothers (primiparae) compared to those with previous births (multiparae). The study confirmed that HCC is a reliable measure of long-term cortisol activity, reflecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. The findings suggested that primiparae experienced more stress, particularly in the third trimester, and that the HPA axis responded differently to placental cortisol production in multiparous women, indicating a more prepared negative feedback system.
