Researchers Secure Major Grants to Study How Birth Shapes Mothers’ Health and Their Brains

Two University of Virginia researchers are leading groundbreaking studies that could transform how medicine understands birth and maternal well-being. Backed by nearly $5 million in federal funding, Allison Perkeybile, senior scientist and animal behavior specialist in the Department of Psychology, and Jessica Connelly, psychology professor, biochemist and epigeneticist, are examining how birth experiences affect women’s health, maternal behavior, and long-term outcomes for mothers and children.

The funding comes in the form of two National Institutes of Health R01 grants. At the center of both studies is the oxytocin system — a hormone system often called the “bonding hormone” — and its role during labor and delivery.

The Role of Oxytocin in Birth

Perkeybile and Connelly’s work uses prairie voles, a socially monogamous animal whose genetic and behavioral traits make them an unusually strong model for human family bonding. By studying how oxytocin shapes their brains and behaviors during birth, the researchers hope to unlock clues about why some mothers thrive after childbirth while others struggle with complications, postpartum depression, or other health challenges.

“The big picture is to understand why two women can have a very similar birth experience but ultimately end up with very different health outcomes,” Perkeybile said. “What we’re focused on are the way genes are regulated and how that impacts the birth experience.”

Scientists have long known that oxytocin plays a role in labor and in bonding between mothers and infants. But much remains unclear about how it works in the maternal brain.

“What do women’s brains do across the pregnancy experience, at delivery and postpartum? We know the oxytocin system is important, but we don’t know enough about the role it plays,” Perkeybile explained.

Her individual grant focuses on the biological consequences of cesarean births. A joint award with Connelly will explore how induced labor, which involves the use of synthetic oxytocin, can influence maternal outcomes. Together, these projects aim to answer a central question: why do women with seemingly similar birth experiences sometimes face very different postpartum health trajectories?

Understanding the Risks of Intervention

Induced labor and cesarean sections are common in the United States. Roughly one-third of all births involve induction, while another third are delivered by cesarean section. Both are life-saving interventions when medically necessary, but they also carry risks.

“We know these interventions save lives, and they absolutely should be used when needed,” Perkeybile said. “But we also know they increase risk for postpartum depression or hemorrhage in some women. What we want to understand is why — what makes some people resilient while others face greater risks?”

She described induction and cesareans as almost opposite scenarios. “With a c-section, you’re getting lower levels of oxytocin because you’re not going through the whole physiological birth process,” she noted. “With induction, you’re getting a synthetic version of the hormone at higher levels.”

Connelly also mentioned that their research has the potential to advance personalized medicine. “If we can use genetic and epigenetic information to better predict a mother’s risks and responses to interventions, we can tailor care more precisely,” she said. “That could change not just maternal outcomes but how children thrive as well.”

Training the Next Generation of Scientists

The NIH awards represent major milestones for both investigators. For Perkeybile, the grant is her first major NIH award. “I’m beyond excited to get to do this work,” she said. “These are questions I’ve thought about for a decade. To have the chance to dig deeper into them is both a privilege and a responsibility.”

Both she and Connelly are committed to using their labs as training grounds for future scientists. Perkeybile currently mentors 15–20 undergraduate researchers, many of whom pursue independent projects related to the studies. Connelly also leads a lab with graduate and undergraduate trainees and sees mentorship as a central part of her work.

“This funding is going to allow us to train more students, and that’s a huge benefit for me,” Connelly said. “That’s the thing that I love most about my job, that I get to be here working with these amazing minds at the point when their minds are the most amazing.”

From the Lab to Clinical Practice

The research could eventually influence obstetric and postpartum practices. By identifying biological markers that predict which women may be at higher risk for complications, clinicians could adapt monitoring and support to meet individual needs. That might mean additional checkups, earlier interventions, or more robust support services for new mothers.

Maria McDonald, a UVA Ph.D. graduate and now an assistant professor of nursing, worked on earlier stages of the project. She sees the potential for real-world impact.

“Having worked as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for several years, I have encountered many patients who struggle with symptoms of postpartum depression,” McDonald said. “Research like this is an important step toward understanding the neurobiological effects of birth interventions and helps us explore ways to personalize care for better health outcomes.”

Christa Acampora, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, underscored how the grants align with UVA’s mission. “This work exemplifies our priority to lead in discovery that improve lives,” she said. “By advancing understanding of women’s health and maternal well-being, Allison Perkeybile and Jessica Connelly are making a real difference in supporting families and communities.” 

For Perkeybile, the motivation is both professional and personal. “The transition to motherhood is one of the most profound changes in a woman’s life,” she said. “If our research can help mothers and babies not just survive but thrive, then that’s the impact I want my career to have.”