A recent study conducted by neuroscientist Emily Jacobs from the University of California, Santa Barbara, has revealed significant transformations in the brains of pregnant women, indicating that it becomes more specialized to prepare them for the arrival of their children. It has been discovered that these changes can persist for up to two years after childbirth, suggesting that pregnancy hormones leave lasting marks on the female body.
To carry out this research, another neuroscientist participated and agreed to be evaluated before, during, and after her pregnancy. The results showed substantial modifications in the brain of the pregnant woman, which facilitate the mother-child bond from the early stages. A decrease in gray matter volume and an increase in white matter volume were observed in the study, highlighting how these transformations affect the cognitive and motor functions of pregnant women.
According to the research, communication between mother and child begins at the moment of conception, underscoring the importance of understanding and respecting the experiences of pregnancy in all its aspects. Neuroscientist Elseline Hoekzema from the Amsterdam University Medical Center has described this study as a "detailed mapping" of what happens in the brain during pregnancy, emphasizing the complexity of this organ during a period of significant physiological changes.
The study also highlights the importance of caring for pregnant women and recognizing the extraordinary biology involved in this stage of life, where a series of cellular processes occur to strengthen the mother-child bond. Elizabeth Chrastil from the University of California, Irvine, is another researcher who has contributed to advancing the understanding of motherhood through studies in this field.