Relaxin is a hormone that helps relax the body's muscles, joints and ligaments. During pregnancy, the hormone Relaxin is present in 10 times its normal concentration in the female body. Relaxin is very important to the birthing process because it causes the pelvic joints and ligaments to loosen so that the baby has room to pass through the birth canal during delivery.
After delivery, Relaxin levels gradually dissipate for the next six to eight weeks and loosened pelvic joints and ligaments begin to tighten and stabilize.
