North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What is the significance of elevated levels of progesterone during the later stages of pregnancy?

1. It aids in fetal development

2. It prepares the body for labor

3. It inhibits lactation

4. It helps in weight gain

The correct answer is: It prepares the body for labor

Elevated levels of progesterone during the later stages of pregnancy play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gestational environment, and its primary significance is in preparing the body for labor, which is why this answer is accurate. Progesterone helps to maintain the uterine lining, preventing premature contractions and supporting the overall pregnancy until the fetus is ready for birth. In addition, progesterone helps relax the smooth muscles of the uterus, allowing it to expand as the fetus grows. As pregnancy reaches full term, progesterone levels eventually decline, which is part of the body’s natural process leading up to labor. This decline helps trigger the onset of labor by allowing other hormones, such as estrogen, to take precedence and facilitate the contractions necessary for childbirth. The other choices may have a relation to metabolic or physiological changes in pregnancy but do not specifically address the primary role of progesterone during the later stages. For instance, while progesterone does play a supportive role in fetal development and can influence breast development for lactation, its essential function in preparing the body for labor stands out in this context.