The Mother’s Brain Changes During Pregnancy
That pregnancy produces significant changes in the mother’s body is more than obvious. However, what not many women know is that the mother’s brain also undergoes modifications at this time. What are we talking about? We’ll tell you then.
Weight gain, nausea, back pain, and those bothersome hormonal changes seem not to be the only consequence of pregnancy on a woman’s body. Surely they are wondering “Is there still more ?!”. And yes, there is more than that.
However, these are not negative alterations. Rather, its purpose is to take care of the baby. It could be said that the maternal instinct begins to play its role before the woman proposes it.
Changes in the mother’s brain in pregnancy
Basically, science has reported that there is a reduction in the amount of gray matter in the mother’s brain. Gray matter is located in the spinal cord and on the outside of the brain. It is responsible for the processing of information and, in fact, its quantity is directly linked to the intelligence of a person.
Exactly, this reduction occurs in areas related to empathy. The main purpose is to better capture the sensations of the little one that lives in your womb.
Now, this removal of neurons is somewhat contradictory. The authors of the research point out that this decrease in neuronal connections occurs precisely because it increases the efficiency for this task. Therefore, it is not equivalent to a loss or decrease in this ability.
In addition, it also has a powerful effect when it comes to its surroundings. The woman is able to perceive threats around her with greater susceptibility than before. This, they say, is maintained for up to two years after delivery. After all, the maternal instinct that so often saves the little ones has clear neuroscientific foundations.
Side effects
Since the mother’s brain sacrifices some rationality to allow for more instinctive thoughts, it would be normal for some of her abilities to be reduced and others enhanced. These would be some examples:
- Memory: many future moms have reported feeling more forgetful than in the rest of their lives. These changes in the amount of gray matter could be an explanation for this.
- Stress: In this case, the stress reduction is due, in large part, to oxytocin. Thus, it can be explained that a mother goes through so many changes and spends so many hours without sleep without suffering complications related to this pathology.
- Sociability: Have you noticed that mothers seem to have a sixth sense for reading thoughts? In large part, it is because the brain prepares to interpret non-verbal signals. Logical: the baby does not speak, so this ability becomes essential and can be expanded to other planes of his life.
- Courage: both before and after childbirth, the woman acquires “extra” courage to face the birth itself and the possible risks that could threaten the life of her little one.
What about the parents?
The studies carried out consisted in the analysis of groups of approximately 20 women and men, some with children or waiting for them and others not. Using MRIs, they detected alterations in the gray matter of the mothers, but not so in the men.
However, it must be borne in mind that this study focused on men whose role was not that of primary caregiver. Certain theories state that when you must assume the role of sole person in charge of a child, your mind also experiences alterations that improve certain skills.
Specifically, these changes have to do with the production of oxytocin. Yes, it is a characteristic and necessary hormone in mothers during lactation, but it is also produced by men. With it, they are able to better interpret the baby’s needs and also their emotions.
What is the explanation for these modifications?
Like almost everything that occurs in pregnancy, this process is closely related to hormonal changes. Such is the revolution that occurs that even the brain itself is affected by it.
However, it should be noted that it is a positive adaptation. It is a scientific and valid proof that there really is a special connection between mothers and children. The protective instinct so often discussed is evident in the mother’s very brain.
The next time you notice a mother’s “magical” abilities in her relationship with her child, you will have an idea of where she comes from. Everything is in the brain: that magic tool that adapts to the different phases of human life.
