7 Ways motherhood changes you

You may definitely feel like you were born to be a mother, although you've probably had fears about how motherhood can change you, such as not having as much time for yourself or the possible loss of identity.

It's true that in the journey of pregnancy and motherhood your body and mind go through so many changes that will make you feel like a different woman, but the process of transformation can leave you with incredible abilities that you once thought were impossible—and that's beautiful and cool!

Science has shown how wonderful the process is and how special you are for being part of the unconditional love club, in other words, for them you are almost a superhero, although for your children you already are.

Food can be both healthy and fun for your kids. Photo: evgenyatamanenko

Getting your children to try healthier foods can be tricky. You're not alone in your struggle—many mothers experience guilt about the food choices they make with their children. But I'm sure you don't give up and keep trying options that steer them away from processed or non-nutritious foods.

Using a lot of your ingenuity to plan delicious, healthy and entertaining meals can be a creative challenge, but it's worth it. Some of the ways to make food more appetising include extra colourful options and fun-shaped fruits and vegetables, according to a 2021 survey conducted by OnePoll. The mothers surveyed admitted that their children often eat more sophisticated lunches and snacks than they do.

Pregnancy shrinks the grey matter in your brain. This might seem like bad news, but in reality, these changes in brain structure are part of the process of adapting to motherhood, according to a 2016 study published in Nature Neuroscience.

As a mother you have a seemingly superhuman strength when it comes to protecting your child. Your brain responds in managing new and demanding tasks, allowing you to care for your baby on a day-to-day basis and stay alert to keep your child safe from threats in the environment.

You've probably noticed that you forget certain things or lose concentration easily; this is common, your child is now the priority and all the extra tasks can be overwhelming. However, don't feel guilty, science backs you up.

Studies have proven long-lasting changes in the brains of women who have had children. These variations are so significant that scientists were able to predict among a group of women whether any of them had been pregnant.

Other studies suggest that hormonal changes and lived experience actually make your brain more efficient at responding better to the challenges of motherhood, helping you learn and remember important things related to your new role. So, it's basically an adjustment to keep your baby safe.

Hormonal changes create the bond between mother and child. Photo: alexandr_1958

The love you feel for your child is a powerful force—you now have someone who comes before everything else. Scientists have found that changes in the brain predict maternal attachment after birth, which helps build strong mother-baby relationships.

Other transitions, such as hormonal changes, trigger your body to form the bond to be the mother your child needs to grow. For example, oxytocin, known as the love hormone, increases during pregnancy and postpartum allowing for greater empathy and bonding.

Being more sensitive is not a bad thing at all. With the arrival of your child your maternal motivation was activated through hormonal events. Additionally, after becoming a mother, you feel a stronger affinity for other women in your position and a deeper connection to children. That is, having experienced this immense love, you may see the world from a different, less critical and more understanding perspective.

You may feel more sensitive, but the release of dopamine also helps you bond better with your child, which means that the level of this chemical messenger is related to the enjoyment of synchrony with the baby and social belonging, according to a 2017 study published in Biological Sciences.

Maternal behaviour leads you to be more affectionate, protective and empathetic, which is essential for the survival of infants. This instinct has a biological origin, related to dopamine, not only to reinforce behaviour but also to generate action, said a 2017 study by New York University.

Your baby's cry triggers a response in you, too. According to research, you are able to recognise your baby's emotions and respond according to their cues, leading you to increase your empathy the more you bond with your baby.

Mothers develop strong multi-tasking skills to tackle motherhood and other commitments. Photo: StockRocket

If before giving birth you thought the hours weren't enough, now you don't know where you find so much time to take care of everything in one day. This is possible because you treat time as a sacred resource.

That's not all, in addition to the adaptations your brain has made to learn new tasks, it has also given you the ability to multitask with the best performance. Plus, your ability to organise, improvise and plan ahead is superior—you always know what's in the nappy bag, you remember every detail of your children's delivery and you're up-to-date with all the homework assignments for school.

Although you have mastered the art of multi-tasking, empathy and unconditional love, you must remember to include time for you and your rest. Society expects too much from mothers, you are not only seen as the one responsible for the care of your baby, but also as the pillar of the family and the owner of your professional future. Remember, it is healthy to take time for yourself and forget about other people's opinions.

Gain an additional insight into how moterhood changes you with The Mother Dance: How Children Change Your Life from Harriet Lerner.

This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Read more: 10 Famous mother figures

Read more: 7 Thoughtful Mother's Day gifts

Keep up with the top stories from Reader's Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter