Motherhood (and fatherhood) changes the brain

Nature shapes the bodies of men and women to adapt to new conditions. This also happens during maternity, when moms they see structural changes in the brain that make them better equipped for the new season of life.

In particular, several neurological studies demonstrate that in new mothers, during pregnancy and until after childbirth, connectivity increases in the areas of the brain associated with empathy, the ability to build human relationships, and memory. The amygdala, linked to emotions, and the prefrontal cortex, crucial for emotional regulation, are more active. This equips women to be better prepared to face the first, very delicate phase of motherhood, when the baby cries frequently and has a strong need for the mother's warmth and care. A mother with these brain changes tends to be more sensitive to all the signals that may come from a neonate.

The changes in a woman's brain during pregnancy have been confirmed over the years by several scientific studies. The most recent development concerns fathers: they too appear to be affected by certain changes, as demonstrated, for example, by a study by a group of researchers from the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid, published in Cerebral cortexMen, here's the new development: upon becoming a father, they experience a reduction in gray matter, especially that which forms the brain's cerebral cortex, which can reach up to 2 percent of the total surface area. This allows the brain to process information more efficiently, enough to develop a sense of belonging to a father's role and responsibilities, providing a better foundation for connecting with his child.

Finally, mothers and fathers share two aspects of the changes in their brains when a child arrives. The first is hormonal changes, with a drop in testosterone. Scientists explain this with the natural need of mothers and fathers to maintain a high level of attention towards the baby. family, without being overly drawn to escapes and impulses, even sexual ones. The second aspect concerns the duration of the brain changes: it is, however, a transitory phenomenon, destined to diminish over time, when women and men can return to their normal lives.

Read also:

• Maternity benefits: up to a thousand euros per child in Austria
• How a child changes your life: 10 things to know
• The right age to have a child
• Parental leave: why do only mothers take it?