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Study Reveals Maternal Brain Evolves with Each Pregnancy

2/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The study found that the first pregnancy significantly alters the Default Mode Network, enhancing self-reflection and social bonding.
The second pregnancy strengthens attention-related networks, aiding multitasking for mothers with multiple children.
The adaptations show the maternal brain continues to evolve with each child and are not signs of cognitive decline but functional refinements.
The analysis involved 110 women and was published by Amsterdam UMC in Nature Communications.

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Story summary

The study found that the first pregnancy significantly alters the Default Mode Network, enhancing self-reflection and social bonding.
The second pregnancy strengthens attention-related networks, aiding multitasking for mothers with multiple children.
The adaptations show the maternal brain continues to evolve with each child and are not signs of cognitive decline but functional refinements.
The analysis involved 110 women and was published by Amsterdam UMC in Nature Communications.