During pregnancy, the maternal body undergoes profound, coordinated physiological adaptations to support the developing fetus, including major shifts in immune regulation and dramatic changes in the vascular system. Accompanying these peripheral adaptations, recent longitudinal studies in humans point to significant remodeling of the nervous system, occurring in lockstep with increases in gonadal hormone production. To understand the neural adaptations tied to pregnancy and the postpartum period, a holistic approach is essential—one that accounts for changes across multiple peripheral systems. In this review, we consider the impact of the endocrine, cardiovascular, microbiome, and immune systems on the maternal brain. By adopting this integrative approach, we aim to better understand the biological pathways that shape the maternal brain during normative pregnancies and those marked by adverse events.

In this study, Wolcott et al. explore estrous-cycle modulation of hippocampal neuron structure and function. Using longitudinal two-photon imaging across the estrous cycle, they find significant modulation at the synaptic, cellular, and population levels.

The research constitutes some of the first evidence that the condition is associated with modifications in the brain before childbirth.

Citizen-science approaches can help challenge taboos around intimate health topics, amplify underrepresented voices and prioritize women’s involvement in health research; this Perspective considers th...

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The study of the female brain during pregnancy and motherhood is gaining traction, and holds the potential to address the unmet needs of millions of women worldwide. Here we highlight the most pressin...