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Human placental lactogen (hPL) is also produced by the placenta and helps ensure healthy foetal development. It helps your boobs prepare for breastfeeding and make colostrum – that important first milk. There’s a link between too little hPL and small babies because this hormone helps organise your metabolism in such a way that you channel more sugar to baby. The thyroid hormone thyroxin helps you absorb more oxygen and works with growth hormones to stimulate baby’s growth. It’s also crucial for the healthy development of baby’s central nervous system. Thyroid stimulating hormone ensures the release of thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism. Insulin controls the metabolism of food by you and baby. As your pregnancy progresses, the insulin becomes less effective because it can’t keep up with the glycaemic load. For about two to four percent of women, this causes diabetes. Cortisol helps with the development of baby’s tiny lungs and gradually increases in the third trimester of pregnancy. On the other hand, studies have shown that too much cortisol, which is the body’s stress hormone, can interfere with the working of progesterone. It also plays an important part in learning and memory.