Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways
Date:
July 11, 2026
Source:
Amsterdam University Medical Center
Summary:
Researchers found that every pregnancy rewires the brain in its own way, with a second pregnancy bringing a different pattern of changes than the first. The discoveries could lead to better ways to recognize and treat maternal mental health challenges, including peripartum depression.
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A second pregnancy changes the brain in ways that are both familiar and distinct from a first pregnancy, according to new research from Amsterdam UMC published in Nature Communications. Building on earlier work showing that a first pregnancy reshapes the brain, the researchers found that each pregnancy leaves its own unique imprint on the maternal brain
In an earlier study, Elseline Hoekzema and colleagues became the first to demonstrate that pregnancy changes the structure of the human brain. They also showed that pregnancy affects how the brain functions. For this latest research, the team followed 110 women over time. Some were expecting their first child, some were pregnant with their second, and others remained childless. By performing repeated brain scans, the researchers tracked how the brain changed throughout the study
“With this, we have shown for the first time that the brain not only changes during the first pregnancy, but also during a second,” says Hoekzema, head of the Pregnancy Brain Lab at Amsterdam UMC. “During a first and second pregnancy, the brain changes in both similar and unique ways. Each pregnancy leaves a unique mark on the female brain.”
Brain Networks Shift in Different Ways
The researchers found that a first pregnancy produced the largest changes in the structure and activity of the brain’s Default Mode Network, a system involved in self reflection, social thinking, and other important mental functions
During a second pregnancy, this same network changed again, although to a lesser degree. Instead, the most noticeable changes occurred in brain networks responsible for directing attention and responding to sensory information
“It appears that during a second pregnancy, the brain is more strongly altered in networks involved in reacting to sensory cues and in controlling your attention,” explains researcher Milou Straathof, who analyzed the data. “These processes may be beneficial when caring for multiple children.”
Brain Changes Linked to Maternal Bonding and Mental Health
The study also uncovered a relationship between pregnancy related brain changes and the emotional bond between mother and child. This connection was stronger after a first pregnancy than after a second
Researchers also identified links between structural changes in the brain and peripartum depression during both first and second pregnancies. According to the team, this is the first evidence that changes occurring in the brain’s cortex during pregnancy are associated with maternal depression
The timing of these associations differed depending on pregnancy history. Among first time mothers, they were most apparent after childbirth. For women expecting a second child, they were more noticeable during pregnancy
“This knowledge can help to better understand and recognize mental health problems in mothers. It is important that we understand how the brain adapts to motherhood.”
Understanding the Maternal Brain
The findings offer new insight into the remarkable adaptability of the maternal brain. Although most women experience one or more pregnancies during their lifetime, scientists are only beginning to understand how pregnancy influences the brain over the long term
The researchers say these discoveries help fill an important gap in knowledge about women’s biology and could eventually improve care for mothers, including efforts to prevent and treat postpartum depression. The study also highlights the brain’s remarkable ability to continually adapt to major life experiences such as pregnancy and motherhood
Materials provided by Amsterdam University Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length
Journal Reference:
- M. Straathof, S. Halmans, P. J. W. Pouwels, E. A. Crone, E. Hoekzema. The effects of a second pregnancy on women’s brain structure and function. Nature Communications, 2026; 17 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69370-8
Cite This Page:
Amsterdam University Medical Center. “Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 July 2026. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010125.htm>.
Amsterdam University Medical Center. (2026, July 11). Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 11, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010125.htm
Amsterdam University Medical Center. “Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways.” ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010125.htm (accessed July 11, 2026).
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