Serum Cortisol Levels in Pregnancy and Six Weeks PostPartum

The aim of this study was to estimate serum cortisol levels during the trimesters of pregnancy and six weeks post-partum. 25 healthy women between the age range of 21 and 35 were recruited for this study. They were divided into five groups (n=5), (group 1: control; group 2: 1st trimester; group 3: 2rd trimester; group 4: 3rd trimester; group 5: Postpartum). Blood samples were collected from the subjects and serum Cortisol level was estimated using a commercially prepared ELISA kit. Results were analysed and a p-value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Results from this study showed an increase in serum cortisol levels in the three trimester of pregnancy, but only the 3rd trimesters was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control, 1st and 2nd trimesters and post-partum groups. The serum cortisol level in the post-partum group was significantly decreased compared to the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Conclusively, serum cortisol level was observed to increase mainly in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and reduced during post-partum period.