The connection between mothers and children is linked to changes in the brain during pregnancy

Pregnancy is assumed to be a complex process that brings about physical, hormonal, and biological changes. But we do not stop there, with many other changes that can occur, namely at the neurological level, changes that occur before and after the first pregnancy, according to a study conducted in 2016 by a team of scientists from the University Medical Center. Amsterdam.

This specific study does not specify the consequences of changes in the brain, but one hypothesis was that the brain is preparing for motherhood. This theory was finally confirmed by a more recent study, conducted this year by the same group of scientists. So according to the studies leader [o de 2016 e o de 2022] Elseline Hoekzema, brain changes that occur during pregnancy help create maternal instincts, according to information published by the newspaper general🇧🇷

The latest research proves that changes in the brain arise due to physiological responses (heartbeats) in pregnant women to baby cues, nesting behavior – how to prepare for the baby’s arrival – and the relationship between mother and child. Thus, similar to other mammals, neural changes may play a major role in stimulating maternal instincts, as well as eliminating negative feedback.

However, in addition to linking changes in the brain during pregnancy with behaviors related to motherhood, there are also indications about the opposite reality, in the sense that those who have fewer changes in brain structure during pregnancy may have problems in the relationship between mother and mother. the child(ren), which can lead to child rejection or hostility in the postpartum period, according to the paper. general🇧🇷

Observing the structure of the brain, during the investigation, the scientists concluded that there was a particularly affected area, which was the structure and function of the standard mode network. This is the area most active when the individual is engaged in a social and individual process (such as recalling their memories of themselves) or when they are not performing any specific task. The fact that during pregnancy no changes were recorded in other regions of the brain suggests that this is presumably a selective process, meaning that it only involves certain components of the brain of future mothers.