Understanding the maternal brain in the context of the mental load of motherhood

The transition to motherhood is a time when nearly all aspects of a female’s existence are modified—from her biological processes to her social role. In recent years we have substantially increased our interest in this developmental period of a woman’s life (matrescence), with a focus on the neurobiology of motherhood and maternal mental health. However, one potential set of factors that is likely driving maternal vulnerability to mental illness is the growing burden of the mental load of motherhood. This mental load is part and parcel of bearing and parenting a young child, but its impact on mothers is undeniable. Here, we review how this mental load may impact the maternal brain and outline how it may be especially pronounced in the modern day, as mothers are dealing with additional pressures such as poverty, single parenthood, lack of institutional policies for parents, and the rise of intensive mothering ideologies. We contextualize the mental load of motherhood within the framework of maternal brain plasticity, and we urge future researchers to consider this framework when studying maternal mental health more broadly. There is an urgent need to approach research with an understanding of what the majority of mothers experience to make advances in supporting a healthy transition to motherhood. This Review discusses the key factors that comprise the mental load of motherhood and the need to provide support for a healthy transition to motherhood.