Recent research shows that the brain is particularly plastic—that is, able to reshape itself—during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Among other changes, the pregnant brain tends to show a reduction in grey matter. This “loss” might be good: it may free up resources as the brain develops the skills needed to care for an infant. On the other hand, brain changes can go wrong, as in the case of post-partum depression.

Learn more on this update from the NYTimes