All posts tagged: maternal

Maternal health and the innovative technology helping to support new mothers

Maternal health and the innovative technology helping to support new mothers

Published by Daniella Wilson

According to research by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, at least one in four women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the early years of motherhood – and yet 70 per cent of those who do will hide or underplay their struggles. This speaks volumes about both the scale of the issue and the culture of silence that surrounds it. Marie Louise, NHS midwife, bestselling author, and Momcozy brand ambassador for the company’s International Women’s Day campaign, spoke at the AllBright Step Forward 2026 summit as part of her partnership with the brand. Addressing the pressures facing modern mothers, she shared: “More women than ever before have so much pressure on them, to do it all, to be it all, to perform at work and be this kind of perfect mother at home. It’s so unachievable and unrealistic.” Marie Louise spoke candidly about the state of maternal healthcare and workplace culture in the UK, making a compelling case that society is asking more of mothers than ever before while providing less …

‘Baby brain’ is not cognitive decline, it’s a maternal superpower — according to neurologists

‘Baby brain’ is not cognitive decline, it’s a maternal superpower — according to neurologists

Published by Daniella Wilson

A landmark new study is challenging everything we thought we knew about baby brain, and the findings might surprise you. Research has found that women lose nearly five per cent of their brain’s grey matter during pregnancy, but researchers say the change is not only normal, it is actually essential preparation for motherhood. The study, led by Professor Susana Carmona at the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid, and described as the largest of its kind, tracked women’s brains before conception, throughout pregnancy, and after birth. The findings challenged many common misconceptions about baby brain. © Getty ImagesResearch shows that changes to pregnant women’s brains can support bonding What the research found Using neuroimaging techniques, the study found a reduction and partial recovery of almost five per cent of grey matter in the brain, especially in regions linked to social cognition. The affected areas are concentrated in the parts of the brain responsible for reading emotions, interpreting social signals, and attuning to others – many of the skills demanded by new motherhood. The study …

Early maternal touch may encourage sympathy and helping behaviors in adolescence

Early maternal touch may encourage sympathy and helping behaviors in adolescence

Published by José Betancourt

A study in China found that junior high school students who recall more maternal touch in childhood tend to manifest more prosocial behavior. Attachment to mothers might be a mediator of this relationship. The paper was published in the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. Maternal touch refers to physical contact initiated by a mother toward her child, such as holding, cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, or gentle stroking, especially during early development. Although it was long underemphasized in developmental research, recent studies show that maternal touch plays a crucial role not only in infants’ physical growth but also in cognitive, emotional, and social development. Frequent maternal touch has been linked to better psychomotor development, reduced stress responses, improved emotional regulation, and stronger mother–child bonding. Health organizations now formally recognize its importance, as reflected in recommendations for immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, particularly for preterm and low-birthweight infants. Maternal touch is thought to support early attachment formation by providing comfort, safety, and a rewarding relationship experience. Secure attachment, in turn, is associated with greater empathy, emotional stability, …