When a woman becomes a mother, one of the first things she's asked is to answer how she feels now that she has a child. And usually, the answer, in the absence of something more descriptive, is something close to "I don't know, probably weird." But behind this somewhat uncomfortable response, there is a whole, complex scientific truth that many of us are unaware of. New mothers often feel like their minds are under-functioning; they forget things and have trouble following complex conversations. Other mothers report changes in their very thinking, behavior, and perception after the birth of their child. And when insomnia that comes with motherhood in the early years is not responsible for all this (what mother has managed to sleep more than 3-4 hours without interruption?), then usually behind the symptoms, is the so-called "baby brain", which is more like a real situation and not just a hashtag on TikTok.
Recent scientific research has shown that the female brain is subject to significant changes during pregnancy and motherhood that affect not only its function but also its very structure and development. Coupled with changes in hormone levels, it makes sense that every woman finds these changes difficult and needs an adjustment period until her brain can function as before pregnancy.
Regarding brain function, one of the main changes that occur during pregnancy is the increase in the volume of gray matter that affects decision-making, planning and problem-solving. However, this change is anything but negative. In fact, it not only does not diminish but enhances women's ability to cope with the challenges of their new role. It helps them manage the intense emotions they experience while at the same time "motivating" them to put the needs of the infant above their own. According to some researchers, this new ability of mothers makes them much better managers since their brain "gets rid" of thoughts that are not immediately useful in solving the given problem and sets the right priorities without wasting time.
Research also shows that when a woman becomes a mother, she experiences changes in the amygdala, the area of the brain that processes emotions. Mothers show increased activation in this area when they look at their babies compared to when they look at other babies, scientifically proving the emotional bond with them. This reaction is likely an evolutionary adaptation that promotes bonding between mother and child. A lot of what happens in the tonsil area also has to do with the hormones that flow to it. The area has a high concentration of receptors for hormones such as oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, which increases during pregnancy. Research from 2013 has shown that motherhood is similar to the feeling of love in the way the brain experiences it, and this explains, among other things, why moms find the smell of their babies so addictive. Levels of oxytocin — the system responsible for mother-infant bonding in all mammalian species — rise dramatically during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The same happens when women look at their babies, hear them coo, cry, or hold them. An increase in oxytocin during breastfeeding may also explain why breastfeeding mothers are more sensitive to the sound of their babies' cries than non-breastfeeding mothers, according to academic Dr. Ruth Feldman.
Another area of the brain that undergoes changes during pregnancy is the hippocampus, which is involved with memory and learning. Studies have shown that the hippocampus in mothers is more responsive to social stimuli, such as faces, voices, and emotions. This heightened sensitivity can help women experiencing motherhood better understand their baby's needs and feelings and facilitate the development of a strong mother-infant bond. Motherhood also changes the connection between neurons in women's brains and helps create a more sensitive and emotionally open disposition.
All of these changes may explain why mothers often experience a heightened sense of empathy and intuition, which allows them to anticipate their baby's needs and respond appropriately to them. However, due to these changes, many mothers experience increased stress and anxiety in the first period of motherhood, especially those who experience postpartum depression or anxiety disorders, and support is needed in these cases. Research has shown that nearly one in six women suffer from postpartum depression, and many more show symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder such as washing their hands over and over and almost obsessively checking if their child is breathing. Researcher and academic Pilyoung Kim has reported that mothers actually display very high levels of thought patterns even about things they cannot control. They are constantly thinking about their baby. Is the baby healthy? Sick;
Scientific evidence of these changes helps raise awareness among the medical community, and society at large, about the mental health of women after childbirth. It seems that all of us are in a good mood to support women while they are still pregnant - if you look at the courses and seminars that are available for this period - but from the moment a woman becomes a mother she is asked to face everything on her own , as if she has once again played this role that we all take for granted that she will "come naturally". And no, the repeated refrain of "girl you got this", accompanied by supposedly feminist gifs is not helping as much as we think. The aid must be practical and systemic, with the inclusion of both the state and the social environment. And many times simple behavioral solutions are not enough, so seeking help from qualified doctors should be something that any woman who needs it can access.
In the matter of how the child experiences the changes that take place in his mother, a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2017 proved to us what we all already believed. He mentioned, among other things, that maternal behavior can also affect the development of the child's brain. According to this study, childhood experiences are likely related to the way the brain reacts to social situations and possibly to the development of communication and relationships in adulthood. So one could probably say that the psychoanalytic cliché that everything revolves around the relationship of the mother with the child in the first years of its life has a dose of scientific validity although this is an oversimplified approach to the matter.
The important thing is that although motherhood may often seem difficult and tiring, the experience can be one of the most interesting and disruptive experiences in a woman's life. It is without a doubt an experience that transforms a woman in ways one could never imagine. Moms who watch their children develop and grow experience unparalleled satisfaction and happiness from it.
However, there is still much research to be done to fully understand maternal brain mechanisms. But the process of understanding these changes can help develop more effective treatments and strategies to support maternal health and well-being.
To conclude, let us say that fathers also experience similar changes in the brain, but this text was written on International Mother's Day, so it is dedicated to mothers. The difference is that for dads, changes happen more slowly by spending time with their child, while moms basically have a blueprint in their brains that helps them navigate the experience of parenthood.
tag:Wonder Wall