Pregnancy leads to a permanent rewiring of the female brain.
Pregnancy makes the female brain change
Research conducted on mice has revealed that parenting instincts are triggered by changes in the brain that happen in response to oestrogen and progesterone in the late stages of pregnancy.
Scientists say that similar changes are likely to happen in the human brain and the work could lead to a deeper understanding of parenting behaviour and postpartum mental health.
Dr. Jonny Kohl, who led the study for London's Francis Crick Institute, said: "We know that the female body changes during pregnancy to prepare for bringing up young. One example is the production of milk, which starts long before giving birth.
"Our research shows that such preparations are taking place in the brain, too."
The findings are consistent with brain imaging research in women that shows changes to brain volume and activity that endure for a long time after pregnancy.