This study investigates neuroplastic changes in the brains of first-time mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Using MRI, the researchers found that first-time mothers showed reduced cortical volume and thickness during late pregnancy compared to nulliparous women, but these differences decreased in the early postpartum period. The default mode and frontoparietal networks showed below-expected volume increases during peripartum, suggesting their reductions may persist longer. The study also found that mothers who had scheduled C-sections showed greater cortical increases from late pregnancy to early postpartum compared to those who initiated labor. These findings were replicated in an independent sample of 29 mothers and 24 nulliparous women. The study suggests a dynamic trajectory of cortical decreases during pregnancy that attenuates in the postpartum period, at different rates depending on the brain network and childbirth type. The transition to motherhood is a life-changing event that involves profound adaptations in the mother's body, including the brain. The brain is recognized as an additional organ that adjusts its anatomy and function during gestation. The study highlights the importance of understanding the neuroplastic changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as the impact of childbirth type on these changes. The findings suggest that the perinatal period is a sensitive and vulnerable time for women's neuroplasticity that deserves protection and further study. The study also notes that the results should be confirmed with a larger sample of mothers who undergo scheduled C-sections and that future studies should examine more diverse samples of mothers in terms of education, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds. The study provides preliminary evidence that the type of childbirth impacts the trajectory of cortical changes during motherhood.This study investigates neuroplastic changes in the brains of first-time mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Using MRI, the researchers found that first-time mothers showed reduced cortical volume and thickness during late pregnancy compared to nulliparous women, but these differences decreased in the early postpartum period. The default mode and frontoparietal networks showed below-expected volume increases during peripartum, suggesting their reductions may persist longer. The study also found that mothers who had scheduled C-sections showed greater cortical increases from late pregnancy to early postpartum compared to those who initiated labor. These findings were replicated in an independent sample of 29 mothers and 24 nulliparous women. The study suggests a dynamic trajectory of cortical decreases during pregnancy that attenuates in the postpartum period, at different rates depending on the brain network and childbirth type. The transition to motherhood is a life-changing event that involves profound adaptations in the mother's body, including the brain. The brain is recognized as an additional organ that adjusts its anatomy and function during gestation. The study highlights the importance of understanding the neuroplastic changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as the impact of childbirth type on these changes. The findings suggest that the perinatal period is a sensitive and vulnerable time for women's neuroplasticity that deserves protection and further study. The study also notes that the results should be confirmed with a larger sample of mothers who undergo scheduled C-sections and that future studies should examine more diverse samples of mothers in terms of education, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds. The study provides preliminary evidence that the type of childbirth impacts the trajectory of cortical changes during motherhood.