94% of women's brains undergo changes during pregnancy 🧠

Pregnancy significantly transforms women's brains, revealing profound changes in gray matter. We had already revealed this in this article: pregnancy causes a loss of gray matter in the mother.

However, a recent study provides additional insights and shows that these changes, linked to hormones, affect nearly 94% of brain volume, with implications for social cognition and maternal bonding.


This research, conducted by an international team, followed 179 women using neuroimaging techniques. It highlights a 4.9% reduction in gray matter during pregnancy, followed by partial recovery after childbirth. These transformations, mainly attributed to hormonal fluctuations, open new perspectives on maternal neurobiology.

Hormones at the heart of brain transformations

Researchers have identified two hormones, estriol-3-sulfate and estrone sulfokinase, whose levels vary significantly during pregnancy. These fluctuations are directly correlated with the reduction and recovery of gray matter. The higher the hormone levels, the more pronounced the brain changes.

This discovery underscores the importance of biological processes in the transformation of the maternal brain. The affected areas, particularly those related to social cognition, play a key role in human interactions, which could explain certain maternal behaviors.

A strong link between brain recovery and maternal attachment

Women with better gray matter recovery after childbirth showed a stronger bond with their baby. This observation suggests that the mother's psychological well-being influences not only her brain health but also the quality of the relationship with her child.

These results highlight the importance of psychological support during and after pregnancy. They also open avenues for a better understanding of conditions like postpartum depression, often linked to brain alterations.

A rigorous methodology for groundbreaking results

The study included a control group of women whose partners were pregnant, allowing the distinction between biological effects and those related to the experience of motherhood. This innovative approach confirmed that brain changes are primarily due to pregnancy itself.

Researchers used repeated MRIs to track brain evolution before, during, and after pregnancy. This longitudinal method provided accurate and reliable data, establishing a reference for future research on the maternal brain.

Implications for maternal mental health

These findings could help better understand psychological disorders related to pregnancy, such as postpartum depression. By identifying the brain mechanisms involved, researchers hope to develop more targeted interventions to support mothers.

The study also emphasizes the importance of maternal well-being in brain recovery. Psychological support programs could thus play a key role in preventing postpartum complications.

To go further: What is gray matter and what is its role in the brain?

Gray matter is an essential component of the central nervous system, primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies. It plays a key role in information processing, cognition, and the regulation of motor and sensory functions.

Located in the cerebral cortex and other brain regions, gray matter is involved in complex processes such as memory, decision-making, and social interactions. Its structure and density directly influence cognitive and emotional abilities.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can alter the volume of gray matter, particularly in areas related to social cognition. These transformations seem to favor adaptation to motherhood.

Finally, gray matter is also associated with brain plasticity, that is, the brain's ability to reorganize in response to new experiences. This property partly explains the partial recovery observed after pregnancy.