Pregnancy may permanently change parts of the brain
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The human brain undergoes major changes during pregnancy, with few areas left unaffected, according to the first map of the brain during and after pregnancy.
During this time, some areas of the brain shrink while others grow and strengthen connections. These changes are thought to enable mothers to form strong bonds with their babies and adapt to the demanding task of caring for them. A better understanding of this remodeling could explain some pregnancy-related behaviors and help people at risk of mental illness.
