We know that pregnancy is synonymous with significant changes in the female body. What is less known, however, is that it also impacts the brain. Indeed, it is preparing for the arrival of the baby. A study published in December 2016 in the journal Nature Neuroscience investigated the question by studying brain scans of women before and after childbirth.
The team of Spanish researchers from the University of Barcelona therefore compared the scans of 25 first-time mothers with those of 19 fathers (also for the first time), 19 men and 20 childless women. All participants were followed for a total of 5 years and 4 months. Verdict? In pregnant women, scientists observed a reduction in the area of the brain linked to social skills, as well as the hippocampus, linked to memory. However, a reduction in gray matter has no impact on cognitive abilities. On the other hand, the researchers came to the conclusion that the brain changes in such a way as to facilitate maternal attachment to the child. And the effects of pregnancy on the brain are felt up to 2 years after giving birth…
This explains in any case the special bond between the mother and the child, sorry gentlemen...
