We all know our bodies go through big changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. Often, we focus on the negatives — the flabby bits, the stretch marks…the list goes on and on.
But did you know that motherhood also has an impact on a very important organ in our bodies — the brain?
We’re talking about how motherhood affects our brains in a positive way (and it’s all been scientifically proven, as you will find out in this article)!
A news story reported by NBC National correspondent Kate Snow recently revealed exactly what researchers are uncovering about how motherhood changes us — especially our brains!
As a woman becomes a m0m, a wonderful cocktail of hormones are made in her brain, which actually helps her bond with and want to protect, love and cherish her little one like no one else on earth can.
Two of these hormones are oxytocin and prolactin.
Oxytocin
Also known as the love hormone, hug hormone, cuddle chemical, moral molecule and bliss hormone! You get the idea, right?
This hormone is made in the hypothalamus (located in the brain) and is secreted by the pituitary gland, also located in the brain.
What does the ‘love hormone’ do?
- During labor, it makes the muscles of the uterus contract.
- It causes moms to be more caring and eager to please.
- Oxytocin even causes moms to recognize her baby’s unique scent and to prefer her own baby’s scent above all others!
- It stimulates milk ‘letdown’ during nursing.
- Oxytocin can actually reorganize nerve junctions in certain parts of a mom’s brain, “hardwiring” her maternal behaviors.
- It helps moms understand non-verbal cues more easily.
Prolactin helps relax breastfeeding mums.
Prolactin
Also known as the ‘milk hormone’, prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland. In moms, prolactin is released in response to her baby suckling, which promotes milk production and other amazing maternal behaviors.
What does the ‘milk hormone’ do?
- It relaxes moms and, in the early months, may cause fatigue during breastfeeding which enforces moms to rest.
- Prolactin reduces mum’s libido, which in turn has an impact on sexual activity, meaning mom’s focus is entirely on her new baby with no other ‘distractions’!
According to the NBC report, it’s not just prolactin and oxytocin that are released in a new mom’s body — other hormones known as ‘opioids’ (pleasure hormones) are also released.
Among the many things opioids do, when it comes to new moms, they help promote contact between mom and baby, and also increase mom’s feelings of elation.
How motherhood affects our brains: The proof lies in research!
According to a study published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, the grey matter in a mom’s brain actually expands in just the right places after having a baby. That’s right — bye-bye ‘baby brain’ theory!
The study
Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health in Maryland scanned the brains of 19 women who gave birth — 10 to boys and 9 to girls.
Images of these women’s brains were taken 2-4 weeks and 3-4 months after they gave birth.
Yes, us mums are officially clever!
What the researchers found out was the these moms’ grey matter volume increased by small but significant amounts in various parts of the brain.
To put this in context (and show how amazingly clever moms are!) grey matter in adults usually does not change in such a short period of time without significant learning, brain injury or illness, or major environmental changes.
The researchers believed that these brain cells increased because of hormone levels and the need to cope with the challenges of a new baby.
The areas where grey matter increased were:
- The hypothalamus — involved with motivation;
- The amygdala — involved with reward and emotion processing;
- The parietal lobe — involved with senses; and
- The prefrontal cortex — involved with reasoning and judgment.
Here’s another very cool finding from the study: Moms who talked the most about their babies in glowing terms, e.g. those who rated their babies as special, perfect, beautiful, etc., were significantly more likely to ‘grow’ bigger brains in key areas connected to maternal motivation, rewards and the regulation of emotions.
This was in comparison to moms who weren’t as in awe of their babies!
So, moms, the next time someone quips about ‘baby brain’, or tells you when you say you are a full-time mom, “Is that ALL you do?”, remember, it’s been scientifically proven that you are the clever one! Moms rock!
Watch the full NBC report below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbosqh5x_7o
Moms, do share your thoughts about this article by leaving a comment below.
References:
https://archive.attachmentparenting.org
READ: 7 Skills you’ve mastered after one year of motherhood
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