Tittle: Second pregnancy uniquely alters the female brain. Introduction: Researchers found that pregnancy causes lasting changes in the brain, and a second pregnancy affects the brain differently from the first. Brain scans of women before and after pregnancy showed that the first pregnancy mainly changes areas related to social understanding and bonding, helping mothers connect with their baby. During a second pregnancy, the brain shows stronger changes in networks related to attention, sensory processing, and responding to environmental cues. Scientists think these changes may help mothers handle the demands of caring for more than one child.