Pregnancy rewires mom’s brain, shrinks gray matter with partial postpartum recovery: study

Mother-child bonds are one of the most beautiful instances of pure, unbridled love. A mother has an innate instinct to nurture her child right from birth. Having a baby is a big milestone in a mother’s life, so it changes her emotionally. But did you know that the changes are not only emotional? A study published in Nature Communications has shown how pregnancy changes the brain in ways that drive maternal bonding and attachment to the baby.

Maternal brain changes

There are structural changes in the brain’s gray matter that play a role in the development of mother-child bonding. So what changes is the research team noticing?

The researchers examined 127 mothers immediately from the previous conception and up to six months before the postpartum period. The findings were surprising as there was a reduction in gray matter volume during pregnancy, especially in the late stages, followed by a partial recovery after delivery. This U-shaped pattern was observed in brain regions involved in social cognition, decision-making, and emotional processing. The study also noted increases and decreases in estrogens such as estriol sulfate and estrone sulfate. The changes observed at the end of pregnancy thus prepare the mother emotionally, psychologically and in every other way for the baby.

Also read: Research reveals the hidden cost of maternal depression on babies

Recovery and connectivity of gray matter

At the end of pregnancy, as explained by the study, significant changes were shown in the brain, as well as hormones. This indicates that for big stages such as childbirth, even the body is mentally and physically prepared for its demands, as one transition to motherhood.

In summary, gray matter volume decreases during the last few months of pregnancy and then naturally recovers after birth, in the postpartum period. These changes can be traced back to hormonal fluctuations in estrogen. Gray matter recovery is associated with maternal attachment and low feelings of hostility that bond better with the child.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek medical advice with any medical questions.

Also read: Research shows why expectant mothers shouldn’t stress; has lasting psychological consequences for the child