Anatomy of a pregnant woman. Computer artwork of a pregnant woman and her partner,showing the foetus and the location of hormone producing (endocrine) glands in their bodies. The glands seen are,from top,the pituitary,hypothalamus and pineal glands of the brain,thyroid and thymus. These glands produce hormones that are necessary for bodily processes such as growth,metabolism,sexual development and function,and response to stress. During pregnancy the placenta,which provides oxygen and nutrients to the foetus,produces hormones that maintain pregnancy and prepare the body for birth |