The Study Unlocks the New Details About How Pregnancy Changes the Brain

Pregnancy not only transforms the body but also reshapes the brain. New research shows that as a mother prepares for motherhood, parts of the brain shrink while connections strengthen, with over 80% of gray matter volume decreasing—likely to enhance efficiency, not hinder it. Hormonal changes also increase cerebrospinal fluid and white matter.

Remarkably, these brain adaptations can persist up to two years postpartum. Despite 208 million pregnancies annually, much remains unknown about how pregnancy affects the brain. This study highlights the need for further research on women’s health, aiming to deepen our understanding of maternal brain changes and postpartum depression.