The hormone responsible for pregnancy is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced exclusively during pregnancy by the placenta, and its levels in the mother's blood and urine rise dramatically during the first trimester.
While hCG isn't the only hormone involved in pregnancy, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the pregnancy by preventing the corpus luteum from breaking down, which in turn ensures a steady supply of progesterone, another vital pregnancy hormone.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of hCG in urine or blood.
