It Has Been Revealed That Women Lose “Part” of Their Brains During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings about both hormonal and physical changes in a woman's body. But did you know that it also triggers changes in the brain?
A recent study has revealed that pregnancy could lead to a temporary decrease in the amount of gray matter in the brain.
Fortunately, there's no cause for alarm.
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A connection has been discovered between pregnancy hormones and fluctuations in the grey matter in the brain.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, neuroscientists in Spain have discovered a connection between pregnancy hormones and fluctuations in the brain's grey matter. This connection could potentially help us better understand the postnatal period and the bonds between mother and newborn. It was proven that pregnancy could lead to a temporary decrease in the amount of grey matter in the brain.
The pregnant women participating in the study lost an average of 5% of the grey matter in their brains. This affected vast areas of the brain, including regions that determine social cognition. It was noted that the grey matter, brain and spinal tissue that assist in processing sensory information and decision-making, could be compressed due to the increase in fluid flowing to the brain during pregnancy.
While this situation could ordinarily be a cause for concern, it was observed that the recovery of the grey matter after childbirth significantly impacted the mental health of the 'new' mothers. Moreover, it even assisted them in establishing postnatal bonds with their babies.
So, does a decrease in grey matter in the brain pose a threat?
Professor Susana Carmona, a co-leader of the study at the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid, explains this decrease in the tissue with a metaphor: 'I like to use the tree pruning analogy. Some branches are cut for more efficient growth.'
While some of the grey matter is regenerated in the postnatal period, this study also demonstrates that the grey matter never fully returns to its pre-pregnancy levels.
The study reveals that a higher percentage of postnatal grey matter recovery leads to 'less hostile behavior towards the baby six months after birth,' and suggests that 'the brain restructuring experienced by pregnant mothers could be adaptable and could facilitate certain aspects of maternal behavior.'
The researchers call for 'sensitive assessments of child-rearing involvement and parent-infant interactions' to be included in future studies to better understand the functional implications of these brain changes.
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