Motherhood: Brain Changes during Pregnancy and The Science Behind it
Does pregnancy brain really exist? Scientists released the detailed maps of human-brain changes before, during and after those crucial nine months. What is the science behind the brain changes before and during motherhood?
Pregnancy is a time of profound physical and emotional transformation, but many people don’t realise the extent to which it changes the brain. Scientists have shown that the brain undergoes substantial structural and functional changes during pregnancy, fundamentally reshaping the ways mothers think, feel, and even remember. Known as “baby brain,” these shifts are more than just anecdotes about forgetfulness — they are the result of a complex interplay of hormones, neuroplasticity, and the demands of preparing for motherhood.
Brain changes and remodelling
One of the primary drivers of brain changes during pregnancy is the massive surge in hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and oxytocin. These hormones are critical for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, but they also play a direct role in shaping the brain’s structure and function. Oestrogen, for example, can increase the number of connections between brain cells, while oxytocin, often referred to as the “bonding hormone,” prepares the brain for nurturing behaviours.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience in 2016 showed that pregnancy causes a significant reduction in grey matter in certain regions of the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. These regions are associated with social cognition, memory and emotional regulation. The study, which involved MRI scans of women before and after pregnancy, found that the brain changes could persist for at least two years after childbirth.
Interestingly, this reduction in grey matter was not a loss of brain power but rather a process of “pruning” — eliminating unnecessary neural connections to make the brain more efficient. This rewiring is thought to help mothers adapt to the needs of their new-borns, improving their ability to understand and respond to their baby’s cues.
Enhanced empathy and emotional processing
The amygdala, a part of the brain associated with emotional processing, becomes highly sensitised during pregnancy. This heightened sensitivity helps mothers better recognize and respond to their baby’s emotional needs, a critical adaptation for nurturing an infant who relies on non-verbal communication.
A 2017 study in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that mothers exhibit increased activity in the amygdala when viewing images of their own babies compared to other infants. This increased activity is linked to a deeper emotional bond and heightened vigilance — an evolutionary trait that ensures mothers are alert to any potential dangers facing their child.
Furthermore, pregnancy can enhance a mother’s capacity for empathy and social cognition. With changes in the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which governs introspection and self-referential thoughts, many pregnant women report being more focused on their relationships and the emotional states of others, especially their children. These shifts in empathy and understanding can strengthen the maternal-child bond, enhancing caregiving abilities.
Fine-tune cognitive functions
One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is a sense of forgetfulness, often referred to as “baby brain” or “mommy brain.” While it’s true that many women experience memory lapses during pregnancy, the idea that pregnancy makes women less cognitively sharp is more myth than reality. In fact, many studies suggest that the brain changes during pregnancy actually fine-tune cognitive functions related to motherhood, such as multitasking and managing stress.
Research from Nature Neuroscience has shown that while some aspects of memory, particularly short-term or working memory, may be affected during pregnancy, other cognitive skills, such as social cognition, improve.
One hypothesis is that the brain prioritises skills that are most critical for motherhood — such as reading emotional cues or managing the baby’s needs — while temporarily downplaying less urgent cognitive functions like remembering where you left your keys.
Brain changes and long-term effects
Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of brain changes during pregnancy is the longevity of these transformations. The structural changes, such as reductions in grey matter, are not a short-term adaptation to pregnancy; they can persist well after childbirth, reshaping the brain for years to come.
A 2018 study conducted at the Autonomous University of Barcelona found that the brain changes observed during pregnancy are still detectable two years after birth. These long-lasting changes are believed to support the
transition to long-term motherhood, enabling mothers to form deeper emotional bonds with their children and remain attuned to their needs.
Interestingly, these changes in brain structure are not limited to biological mothers. Research has shown that adoptive mothers and fathers who take on primary caregiving roles also experience shifts in brain structure and function, suggesting that these changes are related to caregiving behaviour rather than the physical experience of pregnancy.
The role of neuroplasticity in brain remodelling
At the heart of these brain changes is neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Pregnancy represents one of the most dramatic examples of neuroplasticity in adulthood. The brain’s ability to adapt to the demands of motherhood highlights the incredible flexibility of the human mind.
This neuroplasticity is crucial for helping mothers cope with the stress, fatigue, and emotional challenges of caring for a newborn. As the brain becomes more efficient at processing social and emotional information, it allows mothers to navigate the often overwhelming experience of early parenthood with greater emotional resilience and problem-solving skills.
The brain’s profound adaptation to motherhood
Pregnancy brings about a series of profound and lasting changes to the brain, reshaping how mothers think, feel, and respond to their environment. While some may joke about “baby brain” as a symptom of forgetfulness, the truth is far more nuanced and impressive. The brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity enables mothers to adapt to the demands of caring for a newborn, enhancing their emotional sensitivity, empathy, and ability to form deep social bonds.
Far from diminishing cognitive abilities, these changes represent an evolutionary adaptation that ensures the survival and well-being of both mother and child. Scientists are only beginning to unravel the full extent of these transformations, but it is clear that pregnancy is a time of extraordinary brain remodelling, with effects that last long beyond the birth of a baby.
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