The Science Behind “Baby Brain”

Ever wondered why pregnant people can suffer from “brain fog” during pregnancy and then recover postpartum?

This week various news channels have reported the work of a group from Spain who have looked into the hormonal and physical changes that occur in the brain during pregnancy.

This paper reports a 5% decrease in grey matter that recovers by 6 months postpartum (shown by MRI), which correlates with the increase of estrogens present in the mother’s urine during the course of the  pregnancy. The study went on to show that the percentage of postpartum grey matter volume recovery was associated with reduced hostility (and increased attachment) towards the child at six months postpartum.

This research highlights the relationship between hormone changes, anatomical changes and brain development during and after pregnancy. Showing a rare window where the adult brain experiences plasticity.Work like this can shed light on the common mental health issues experienced during and after pregnancy, and can open new avenues to explore treatments and efforts to improve maternal mental health.

Please read, rate and review the paper here:

Pregnancy entails a U-shaped trajectory in human brain structure linked to hormones and maternal attachment - Nature Communications

This study uncovers a U-shaped trajectory in gray matter volume during pregnancy and postpartum, linked to hormonal changes. Brain recovery postpartum correlates with maternal attachment, highlighting the interplay between neuroplasticity, hormones, and maternal well-being.

NatureCamila Servin-Barthet