NEUROPLASTICITY: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE BRAIN DURING PREGNANCY AND IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

Abstract

The term ‘mommy brain’ is often linked to cognitive decline, however contemporary neuroscientific research shows the opposite: motherhood is a period of intensive neuroplasticity and cognitive reorganization. This paper looks at structural and functional changes in the brain during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, with a focus on the regions involved in social cognition, emotional regulation and motivation for nurturing. The reduction of the grey matter which occurs during pregnancy and postpartum is interpreted as a mark of neuron specialization and functional improvement of the cerebral cortex. Postpartum, there is functional strengthening of the cerebral networks, which is linked to the improvement of social cognition and increased responsiveness to the newborn. The paper suggests redirecting the public and scientific discourse from a narrative of deficit towards evolutionary perspective and valorization of neuroplasticity.