Moms can tell you all about the emotional and hormonal changes they had on their journey from pregnancy to parenthood. While science can explain why women experience most emotional and hormonal changes when becoming a mother, one change that researchers are still learning about is how it changes the brain.
Does Becoming a Mother Change the Brain?
Results from a neuroimaging study on specific and long-lasting changes in the brain of pregnant women signify just how important it is for us to continue learning about this area of science. The study examined the brain structure of first-time mothers before and after pregnancy to the brain structure of women without children.
Researchers saw reduced grey matter in areas of the brain responsible for social cognition (which helps us figure out what others are thinking and feeling) in first-time mothers. These changes were so pronounced that it was clear who the first-time mothers were just from looking at the scans. Even more interesting is that a follow up session showed these changes lasted for at least 2 years after giving birth. What makes this discovery so important?
Changes Seen Inside the Brain
In order to understand how important these findings are, we need to start with what grey matter is. Grey matter is tissue that makes up part of our central nervous system and has the important job of processing information. Although it seems like a reduction of grey matter in the brain would be detrimental, it is in fact the opposite. In this situation, the loss of grey matter indicates weaker brain connections are being cut back, allowing for stronger ones to flourish.
Researchers believe that these enhanced social cognition abilities in first time mothers drive the motivational need to care for their baby. These abilities are what might help mothers distinguish their baby’s cries and reactions so they can figure out what they need. These areas of the brain lit up when researchers showed the new mothers photos of their babies, indicating a strong attachment.
This research on how pregnancy effects the brain is fascinating. It’s a new window into how the bond between a mother and baby work. It’s also hopefully the beginning of future research into how pregnancy changes the brain as a way to help women transition and adapt to motherhood.
Disclaimer: PerkinElmer and ViaCord do not endorse or make recommendations with respect to research, medications, or treatment. All information is provided for informational purposes only.
Resources:
Nature Neuroscience. Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.4458#Abs2
News Medical Life Sciences. What is Grey Matter? https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Grey-Matter.aspx
Frontline. Adolescent Brains are Works in Progress. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html
