PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is accompanied by profound physiological changes in the endocrine system that are essential for the maintenance of gestation, fetal growth, and preparation for childbirth and lactation. These changes involve coordinated alterations in the function of the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, and placenta as a major endocrine organ. This article reviews the key hormonal adaptations that occur during pregnancy and explains their physiological significance for maternal and fetal homeostasis. Understanding endocrine changes during pregnancy is crucial for distinguishing normal physiological adaptations from pathological conditions.