Understanding the Perinatal Brain: Why Moms Need Grace
Understanding the Perinatal Brain: Why Moms Need Grace
By Stephanie Bunn, BSW, RSW
So, you just gave birth! Congrats, mama! 🎉 Now, you may be wondering why you suddenly feel like a whole new person (and not just because of the sleepless nights and constant diaper changes). If you've noticed some changes in how you think, feel, and even approach everyday tasks, guess what? There’s some real science behind it, and it’s all thanks to the amazing phenomenon known as the "perinatal brain."
But what on earth is a perinatal brain? Let’s dive in!
Your Brain is Literally Rewiring Itself (Yes, Really)- The Power of Adaptive Neuroplasticity. From the moment you find out you're pregnant to your baby's first birthday, your brain is on a wild journey. Researchers Barba-Müller, Craddock, Carmona, and Hoekzema (2019) suggest that during the perinatal period, the brain adapts and morphs both structurally and functionally. This neuroplasticity (fancy word for “your brain’s ability to change and adapt”) is your body’s way of prepping you for the ultimate job: motherhood. This change helps enhance a mother's caregiving instincts. Essentially, It’s like your brain is getting a major software upgrade—except instead of fancy new apps, you’re getting supercharged caregiving abilities and maternal instincts.
So, if you feel like your brain is a bit different these days, that’s because it is! You're not just learning how to care for your baby; your brain is actually rewiring to make sure you're the best caregiver you can be.
Think about how animals in the wild instinctively lick and care for their newborns right after birth—this is their adaptive neuroplasticity kicking in. Similarly, humans also experience this primal shift. Our brains naturally rewire to focus on nurturing and protecting our babies.
The Vulnerability of the Perinatal Brain. While these brain changes can enhance caregiving, it can make the brain more vulnerable. This is why many new mothers may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even depressed. In fact, studies show that 1 in 10 mothers may experience postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum anxiety (PPA). These conditions are more common than we might think, and they can make managing both yours and your baby’s needs feel like an immeasurable task.
This vulnerability is directly linked to the structural and functional changes happening in the brain. With the surge of new responsibilities and hormonal shifts, it can make you feel like you're on a never-ending rollercoaster. One minute, you're on top of the world, snuggling your sweet baby, and the next, you’re questioning whether you even know what day it is.
Why You Need to Give Yourself a Break (Like, Right Now). Here’s the big takeaway: You’re going through a lot—and not just the whole “newborn care” thing. You’re experiencing deep, fundamental changes that impact you emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially, and psychologically. It’s perfectly okay to feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or scared.
This transition into motherhood is a significant life change, and it’s happening on multiple levels, even if we don’t always realise it. The changes to your brain, your body, and your emotions are all part of a complex physiological process.
So, if you’ve just welcomed a new baby, be patient and compassionate with yourself. You’re not just adjusting to a new role—you’re also adapting to a profound, invisible shift happening in your brain. Take time to care for yourself, seek support when needed, and remember that these changes are part of what is making you an amazing caregiver.
Check out the article:
Barba-Müller, E., Craddock, S., Carmona, S., & Hoekzema, E. (2019). Brain plasticity in pregnancy and the postpartum period: links to maternal caregiving and mental health. Archives of women's mental health, 22(2), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0889-z
Note:
*for the purpose of this study, cisgendered women were studied*
*The perinatal period is considered to be during pregnancy when the baby is in womb and up to one year postpartum*