Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
No, it's not just your imagination. Motherhood does actually change you physically, mentally, emotionally and every other possible way you can imagine.
Some of these changes are tough. You'll likely have a hard time catching eight full hours of beauty rest with a newborn, for instance. And get ready for a social life that consists of you and your spouse routinely falling asleep on the couch shortly after you finally decide what to watch on Netflix.
But it's not all that bad. In fact, there are several ways you change for the better after giving birth — and there's scientific evidence to prove it. Here are some examples.
You become more compassionate
When you become a mom, life isn't just about you anymore. Most of the time, you're surrounded by little people with big emotions and you learn pretty quickly how to respond to them. You feel your child's highs and their lowest lows.
It's a noble role to play — but an exhausting one, too. Maybe that's why you find yourself giving a sympathetic smile to the parent at the grocery store with a tantruming toddler or why you're happy to hold someone's crying baby on an airplane. As a fellow parent, you get it.
Mom brain is real
Yes, "mom brain" is a thing, but maybe not what you think. It turns out that there's more to it than misplacing your keys or forgetting to pick your kids up at the right time. Your brain physically changes after having kids — and it's actually something of a superpower.
Writing for What to Expect When You're Expecting, Brittany Risher Englert explains, "During pregnancy and after giving birth, a mother's brain changes. Gray matter decreases in certain parts of the brain during pregnancy and then increases in some brain regions postpartum. This pruning of neurons seems to help your brain specialize in all those new maternal skills once your little one arrives."
So, what are these special maternal skills you adopt with your new mom brain?
"Some of these brain changes appear to help you become a better caregiver," Englert continues. "For example, research shows that postpartum growth in the amygdala, hypothalamus and substantia nigra is associated with positive feelings about your baby. And growth in the prefrontal cortex may help a mother make the many, many decisions she faces every day as well as manage her emotions."
The Mama Bear effect is also real
Even the most mild-mannered mother may catch herself roaring like a mama bear in defense of her children if the occasion calls for it. Many mothers report crazy stories of having the strength to lift a car or fearlessly putting their lives at risk to rescue a child in danger. You can thank the hormone oxytocin for that superhuman urge to intervene on your kids' behalf, according to Medical Xpress.
Your finances get real
Prior to having kids, you might ask yourself "How much would a child need?" Well, over the course of 18 years, it's safe to say a lot. The financial impact of parenthood is both immediate and long-term.
According to the Institute for Family Studies, the cost to raise a child — from basic childcare to education, health care and more — is more than $230,000. With that in mind, a new baby will likely make budgeting a new and ever-important skill for mothers.
You multitask out of necessity
Moms should really pat themselves on the back for how well they manage to keep their families afloat. You've got to manage the family schedule, do the dishes, run the laundry loads, sign up for dance classes or baseball, shop, clean, help with homework and drive until your kids are old enough to do those things for themselves.
According to findings published in the American Sociological Review, no one multitasks better than a working mom. Researchers found that they spend 10 more hours per week than working fathers on these daily to-dos for the family.
11 things your mom used to say (and now you do, too)
Here's a list of a few things your mom told you as a kid that have likely made their way into your everyday vernacular. Some will make you wince, others will make you cringe — but some might just make you smile.Sleep is your new drug of choice
Sleep, what's that? The arrival of a newborn transforms sleep from a basic necessity. According to Medical News Today, new parents lose an average six months of sleep in their baby's first 24 months of life. If you thought you couldn't live without enough sleep, being a mother can show you exactly how much you can do on small (and infrequent) amounts of shut eye. But don't despair, most kids start sleeping consistently eventually — and you will too.
Your body is different
Your body changes too, but this isn't about how your clothing fits. A study published on PubMed Central says that your baby's genes actually intermix with yours during pregnancy and can stay there. It's a phenomenon called microchimerism. There's still a lot to learn about this effect, but many researchers believe these genes can help protect the mother from certain diseases. Pretty cool!
You gain a deeper appreciation for the little things
One of the best things about becoming a parent is that it gives you a chance to re-experience so many things that your pre-kid self might have taken for granted. Do you remember what it was like to ride your bike for the first time? Or the thrill of taking off on an airplane? It's amazing how these simple things take on a whole new level of excitement when you're seeing them through the lens of your kids.
The gift all moms love
Looking at this list, it's clear that moms are pretty amazing. They deserve some recognition for everything their minds and bodies go through to bring children into the world. One great way to show Mom you care is to treat her to a luxuriously soft minky blanket from Minky Couture. Available in multiple styles and sizes, these blankets are guaranteed to warm her heart. Shop the full collection at softminkyblankets.com.
