What is BeMother?
Bemother is a collaborative research initiative led by Dr. Òscar Vilarroya, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and La Caixa Foundation. This project explores how pregnancy reshapes the brain, aiming to understand the neural, hormonal, and psychological changes that prepare mothers for the demands of motherhood. In BeMother, we are following first-time pregnant women, as well as a group of same-sex partners, from before conception, through pregnancy, and after childbirth. We examine them using brain imaging, psychological assessments, and metabolomic analysis of biological samples, including breast milk. The study investigates how these changes may enhance a mother’s ability to care for her baby and form strong maternal bonds.
428
Participants in the project
154
Women who have achieved pregnancy
118
Women who have already had their first baby
1466
Sessions that we have carried out
Relevance and Impact
This study explores how the brain adapts to motherhood, focusing on pregnancy-induced changes in neural plasticity, reproductive neuroscience, and mental health.
It aims to improve the understanding of maternal brain plasticity and mental health conditions like postpartum depression and maternity blues, which affect many women.
The research also highlights the importance of mother-infant bonding for infant development. By using advanced technologies, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of matrescence and support early detection strategies for maternal mental health issues, addressing a critical but often overlooked area of research.
Our participants
Dissemination activities
New article: Pregnancy entails a U-shaped trajectory in human brain structure
Our new article “Pregnancy entails a U-shaped trajectory in human brain structure” has been published…
Collaborate with us!
Do you want to help us learn how pregnancy and motherhood change the brain? If you want to participate in a scientific study, do not hesitate to fill out the form!
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