Gestation and its Effect on the Cingulate Cortex: A Systematic Review
Isabella Blakeley
International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Publication date: November 20, 2025
International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Publication date: November 20, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC2025II01
ABSTRACT
This systematic review aims to investigate the hypothesized correlation between the cingulate gyrus and the gestational, postpartum, and labor stages of a woman's pregnancy. This study aims to understand the changes in neuroplasticity and how changes in cerebral structures during pregnancy affect the functional outcomes of the anterior cingulate cortex, the midcingulate cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, and the retrosplenial cortex. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using predetermined search terms, such as "Pregnancy", “Pregnant”, “Cingulate”, “Cingulate Gyrus”, “Neuroplasticity”, and “Cingulate Cortex” in PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO. A total of 521 articles were retrieved. Searches were then limited by title, then abstract, and, finally, other limiting factors until 24 articles remained. The current research indicates that during pregnancy, decreases in gray matter and cerebral cortical volume in the brain cause a change in memory and emotional regulation. During postpartum, women’s gray matter increases, and subsequently, new maternal behavior - such as protecting the baby or understanding the baby's emotional cues - occurs with this increase. The use of drugs or other abnormal states, such as postpartum depression or opioid use, during postpartum or pregnancy can further affect a woman's hormones, behavior, and emotional states. To conclude, hormonal changes affect all portions of the brain, but especially the emotional and behavioral cortex of the brain, known as the cingulate gyrus. In future studies, changes within the cingulate gyrus during the gestation and postpartum period should be researched further to better understand the neuroplasticity associated with pregnancy.
This systematic review aims to investigate the hypothesized correlation between the cingulate gyrus and the gestational, postpartum, and labor stages of a woman's pregnancy. This study aims to understand the changes in neuroplasticity and how changes in cerebral structures during pregnancy affect the functional outcomes of the anterior cingulate cortex, the midcingulate cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, and the retrosplenial cortex. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using predetermined search terms, such as "Pregnancy", “Pregnant”, “Cingulate”, “Cingulate Gyrus”, “Neuroplasticity”, and “Cingulate Cortex” in PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO. A total of 521 articles were retrieved. Searches were then limited by title, then abstract, and, finally, other limiting factors until 24 articles remained. The current research indicates that during pregnancy, decreases in gray matter and cerebral cortical volume in the brain cause a change in memory and emotional regulation. During postpartum, women’s gray matter increases, and subsequently, new maternal behavior - such as protecting the baby or understanding the baby's emotional cues - occurs with this increase. The use of drugs or other abnormal states, such as postpartum depression or opioid use, during postpartum or pregnancy can further affect a woman's hormones, behavior, and emotional states. To conclude, hormonal changes affect all portions of the brain, but especially the emotional and behavioral cortex of the brain, known as the cingulate gyrus. In future studies, changes within the cingulate gyrus during the gestation and postpartum period should be researched further to better understand the neuroplasticity associated with pregnancy.
