Brain Changes During Pregnancy

“Women With Postpartum Depression Experienced Brain Changes During Pregnancy, Study Finds” by Pam Belluck, NYT - Article Review

The biological changes of the brain during postpartum depression is a growing topic of study in maternal neuroscience.  A new study, published March 5, 2025 by the Science Advances journal, looks at changes in the volume of the hippocampus and amygdala in first time mothers during late pregnancy and early postpartum. The hippocampus and amygdala are two very important structures in the temporal lobe involved in mood, emotion, and memory regulation. The hippocampus helps us form new memories, orients us during spatial navigation tasks, supports emotional regulation, and converts short term memory into long term memories. The amygdala is the main control center for processing our emotions, linking them to other brain functions such as memory, learning, and sensation. Since postpartum depression is a mood disorder with many emotional and mood related symptoms, researchers chose to focus on the key structures impacted by these symptoms. 

According to Pam Belluck of the New York Times, “Researchers found that women with symptoms of depression in the first month after giving birth … had increases in the volume of their amygdala, [and] increases in the volume of the hippocampus.” Specifically, the growth of the right side of the amygdala is related to increased “symptoms of perinatal [within the weeks immediately before and after birth] depression” (Ballesteros, 5, 4). Additionally, “the worse the birth experience, the larger bilateral increase in the hippocampus” (Ballesteros, 5, 4). These results suggest that the brain may be changing its size and increasing the neuronal networks in these regions to help women manage the stress of giving birth. These changes may “reflect either stressor-induced damage, a maladaptive response to these stressors, or even an adaptive mechanism to mitigate the negative resulting effects” (Ballesteros, 5, 5). It is not clear, however, whether the volume changes are a response or cause of depression symptoms. For now, the study only shows a correlation between the two variables.

Understanding these changes help maternal mental health professionals recognize key warning signs of developing postpartum depression. It adds to the multidomain model of diagnosis that looks at the psychological, endocrine, mechanical, and socioeconomic changes and factors that influence this disorder. It also helps provide better insight into the most effective means of treatment for postpartum depression. Knowing that these structures are growing in response to stress reinforces how crucial it is for new mothers to be exposed to very low levels of stress as consistently as possible right before and after giving birth. 

There are many ways to help reduce stress for birthing people. Three key strategies include: 

(1) delegating tasks and responsibilities to people in your support system, 
(2) prioritizing a moment of self-care everyday, and 
(3) practicing deep breathing techniques when you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. ​

These strategies aim to calm your nervous system in real time to prevent negative responses from developing. 
FOZA Inc. also offers many resources to support mothers and families under great stress during the perinatal period and beyond, such as advice from professionals featured on our podcast and education about management strategies on our social media.

References
Ballesteros, C. (5, March 5). Linking birth experience and perinatal depression symptoms to neuroanatomical changes in hippocampus and amygdala. Science Advance, 11(10), 1-11. 10.1126/sciadv.adt5619
Belluck, P. (2025, March 5). Women With Postpartum Depression Experienced Brain Changes During Pregnancy, Study Finds. The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/health/postpartum-depression-brain.html

Submitted by:
FOZA Volunteer –
Kayla Cason Online Communication Amplifier 
Kayla is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. 
with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, minors Chemistry and 
Psychology, Magna Cum Laude. She is currently working as
 a post-baccalaureate fellow in the Intramural Research Training Assistant 
Program of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Web: www.FOZAInc.org 
Email: [email protected]