Preparing for pregnancy but only focusing on the ovaries? Research suggests the brain’s “happiness switch” may also be linked to conception

When it comes to preparing for pregnancy, most people focus on a few familiar keywords: Is the menstrual cycle regular? Is ovulation normal? What about AMH? Are there enough antral follicles? Are hormone levels appropriate? Is folic acid being supplemented on time?

If you are planning to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), there are even more items to track. From ovarian reserve and semen analysis, to stimulation protocols, embryo culture, and endometrial status, every step seems to revolve around the reproductive system. But a frequently overlooked question is: Is pregnancy really just a matter between the ovaries, the uterus, and the embryo?

In recent years, cross-disciplinary research among reproductive medicine, neuroscience, and psychology has been increasing. An exploratory study published in Scientific Reports shifted the focus from the traditional reproductive organs to the brain. The researchers found that a deep-brain region closely associated with "reward, pleasure, and motivation for action"—the nucleus accumbens—showed a statistically noteworthy association between its structural features and the likelihood of pregnancy within the following year in women.

This does not mean that "the larger a certain brain region is, the more likely one is to get pregnant." What truly deserves attention is: Pregnancy preparation is never a purely physiological process; the connections among the brain, emotions, behavior, endocrine function, and lifestyle may be far more complex than we previously imagined.

For families who are trying to conceive naturally, undergoing IVF, or even preparing for third‑generation IVF in Thailand, overseas fertility treatment, or cross‑border childbearing, understanding this may help us view the entire journey from a more holistic perspective.

I. What exactly is the "nucleus accumbens" mentioned in the study?

Don't be intimidated by this unfamiliar medical term.

The nucleus accumbens is located deep in the brain and is a key component of the brain's reward system, involved in dopamine signaling, motivation, reward anticipation, and behavioral reinforcement. In simple terms: when we achieve a long‑awaited goal, eat a favorite food, feel relaxed after exercise, or complete something that gives us a sense of accomplishment, the brain's reward system is engaged.

It affects not only whether we feel happy, but also whether we are willing to take initiative, anticipate certain outcomes, and sustain certain behaviors. This is why researchers began to consider: Since reproductive behavior itself involves a series of active actions and decisions, could the brain's reward system also be linked to eventual pregnancy outcomes?

II. 321 women were followed – what did the researchers find?

This study was conducted by a research team from Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It enrolled 321 women who planned to become pregnant within the next year. At the preconception stage, participants underwent high‑resolution brain MRI scans to record structural features, and they were then followed for about 12 months. The final results: 185 became pregnant, 136 did not. The team further adjusted for age, BMI, education level, income, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

They found that participants with larger nucleus accumbens volume showed a higher relative likelihood of pregnancy, with an odds ratio of approximately 1.50. At first glance, this might be misinterpreted as "the larger the nucleus accumbens, the easier it is to get pregnant." But that interpretation is inaccurate, because this study only demonstrates a statistical correlation – it does not prove that nucleus accumbens volume directly determines pregnancy, nor can it be used to predict a person's fertility.

In other words: correlation does not equal causation. This is the most important premise for understanding this research.

III. Why might the brain be connected to pregnancy?

Pregnancy appears to occur in the reproductive system, but from the perspective of the body's overall regulatory mechanisms, reproductive function does not operate in isolation.

One of the most important regulatory pathways is: the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑ovarian axis, often referred to as the HPO axis. The hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries maintain the menstrual cycle, follicular development, and ovulation through complex hormonal feedback. In other words, the brain is already a key participant in the female reproductive endocrine network. And the nucleus accumbens, as part of the reward system, is closely tied to motivation, emotion, and behavioral decisions.

The researchers therefore proposed a possible explanation: the nucleus accumbens does not necessarily "control pregnancy" directly, but it may be linked to pregnancy outcomes through multiple pathways, including fertility‑related behaviors, lifestyle, motivation, and neuroendocrine networks.

Here's an easy‑to‑understand example. Natural pregnancy preparation is not just about "knowing when ovulation occurs." It often means maintaining a relatively regular daily rhythm, tracking the fertile window, sustaining intimate relationships, reducing smoking and alcohol, exercising moderately, eating healthily, and continuing to take action while waiting for results again and again. All of these require a certain level of motivation and behavioral persistence – precisely the domains in which the brain's reward system plays a major role. So what makes this study truly interesting is not that it tells us "the brain determines pregnancy," but that it further reminds us: conception is a whole‑body process.

IV. Don't misunderstand: it's not "the happier you are, the easier to conceive"

Having read this, some women trying to conceive may feel new pressure: "Is it because I've been too anxious that I haven't gotten pregnant?" "Is my negative mood affecting the embryo?" "Do I have to stay happy every day during IVF?" These interpretations go to the other extreme.

There is no need to blame yourself for a bout of anxiety, a low mood, or a period of high stress. Female fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, ovarian reserve, tubal patency, uterine environment, ovulation, sperm quality, embryo quality, and overall health.

For IVF, there are also multiple steps such as ovarian response, egg and sperm characteristics, fertilization, embryo development, chromosomal status, endometrial conditions, and embryo transfer. Psychology and the nervous system are just one part of a complex network. So this study is by no means saying: "As long as you stay happy, you will definitely get pregnant." Nor should it be used to blame women for not being "relaxed enough."

V. No need to have your "brain size" checked for pregnancy preparation

Since the study found an association between the nucleus accumbens and pregnancy, should one go to a hospital for a brain MRI to check the size of their nucleus accumbens? The answer is: absolutely unnecessary. At present, this finding remains within the realm of scientific exploration and has not become a clinical fertility assessment tool. For both natural conception and IVF, routine fertility evaluations still focus on age, medical history, menstrual patterns, ovarian reserve, ultrasound findings, hormone levels, and semen analysis – the practical indicators.

If you are preparing for third‑generation IVF in Thailand, it is also necessary to first undergo basic tests for both partners, and let the specialist evaluate the actual situation before deciding on the next steps. Therefore, there is no need to schedule an extra brain MRI because of this research.

The real value that this study brings to ordinary preconception families is not a new test, but a reminder: don't just take care of the body; also pay attention to the psychological and life status during the prolonged journey of trying to conceive.

VI. What is most easily overlooked during long‑term pregnancy preparation is exactly that "life is consumed by trying to conceive"

Many people who have gone through long‑term pregnancy preparation share similar feelings. At first, they just thought "let it happen naturally." Then they started tracking their menstrual cycle. Later, they downloaded various apps, checked ovulation every day, calculated timing, and recorded basal body temperature. Gradually, conversations between partners may turn into: "Did you test today?" "Are you ovulating?" "What did the doctor say?" "When can we take the test?" "Did it fail again this time?" If they move into an IVF cycle, the numbers multiply: how many follicles, how big they are, how many eggs retrieved, how many fertilized, how many blastocysts cultured, what are the screening results…

For families preparing for overseas fertility treatment or IVF in Thailand, they may also face practical issues such as language, accommodation, transportation, appointments, tests, and cross‑border logistics. What was originally a life plan for two people can easily turn into a huge "to‑do list." And staying in a state of waiting for results, repeated testing, and constant focus on numbers can itself bring significant psychological burden. That is why, in our services of overseas patient accompaniment and travel coordination to Thailand, we increasingly emphasize a seemingly non‑medical but very important issue: how to help our clients feel less flustered and more certain in an unfamiliar environment.

VII. During pregnancy preparation, try breaking "big goals" into "small daily life"

We cannot change the anatomical volume of one's nucleus accumbens through lifestyle, nor is there evidence that a simple method can directly "activate the nucleus accumbens to increase pregnancy rates." However, paying attention to sleep, exercise, stress management, and couple relationships is itself an important part of healthy preconception care. Instead of demanding yourself to "stay in a good mood" every day, start with some easier, small tasks.

1. When anxious, gently bring your attention back to the present moment

When waiting for ovulation, test results, or pregnancy test outcomes, if you feel notably tense, try a simple breathing exercise. For example: inhale slowly, hold briefly, then exhale slowly. The key is not to strictly count seconds, but to gradually slow your breath and shift attention away from imagining outcomes back to your body. You can also try the "5‑4‑3‑2‑1" sensory exercise: look around and name what you see, listen to surrounding sounds, feel the texture of objects you are touching – redirect your focus to the real environment. The value of these methods lies primarily in relieving the immediate sense of tightness, rather than using them as a "pregnancy‑boosting technique."

2. Give yourself one small non‑pregnancy‑related goal each day

One of the biggest dangers of long‑term pregnancy preparation is that life becomes nothing but "getting pregnant." You can complete one very ordinary small thing each day: take a 30‑minute walk, tidy up a room, read a few pages of a book, cook a meal you enjoy, tend to plants, listen to music, or go outside for some sunshine. Accomplishing these is not about "improving success rates," but about reminding yourself: beyond trying to conceive, you still have a full life.

3. Maintain moderate physical activity

If your doctor has not given specific restrictions, you can maintain moderate exercise according to your own condition – such as walking, yoga, gentle stretching, etc. The benefits of exercise are not only physical but also help improve mood and sleep. If you are already in a special phase such as stimulation, egg retrieval, or embryo transfer, adjust the type and intensity of exercise based on ovarian status and medical advice; do not simply apply the general preconception exercise routine.

4. Leave some "blank time" for your brain before bed

Repeatedly searching before bed: "On which day can I test?" "Is this symptom implantation?" "Why did others succeed on the first try?" – usually does not bring real certainty, but instead keeps the brain in a state of information overload. Try putting down your phone earlier, and let your body gradually wind down with a warm bath, soft music, breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation.

VIII. Couple relationship should not be reduced to just "ovulation day"

A particularly common problem during long‑term pregnancy preparation is that intimacy gradually becomes "functional." When to have intercourse is decided by ovulation tests; when to talk, it's about test results; when to go out for a meal, the conversation may drift to the next appointment. Over time, couples may forget: the original reason for wanting a child was to build a family together, not to complete a medical task together.

Therefore, it can be helpful to deliberately set aside "pregnancy‑talk‑free" time. For example, schedule a weekly date – have a meal together, take a walk, watch a movie, or go on a short trip. During those hours, do not discuss ovulation, embryos, or pregnancy test results. Just be partners again. If one partner is under a lot of stress, try replacing "Why don't you care at all?" with "I've been feeling quite anxious while waiting for results recently, and I would really like you to be with me more." Often, what truly drains a person is not a single test, but prolonged loneliness and uncertainty.

IX. During IVF, what needs more management is "uncertainty"

Natural conception requires waiting. IVF also requires waiting. Waiting for test results, for follicles to grow, for egg retrieval, for fertilization, for embryo culture, for screening results, for the right transfer timing… Especially for families who choose third‑generation IVF in Thailand, there is an added cross‑border layer. When to travel to Thailand? What tests need to be prepared? Which hospital to choose? How to book a doctor? What about language communication? How to arrange accommodation and transport? Each unknown step adds a layer of psychological stress.

This is why Global New Life emphasizes "full‑cycle companionship" in serving families seeking overseas fertility treatment. Our role is not to replace the doctor's medical judgment, but to help streamline what would otherwise require repeated personal confirmation – through early information organization, hospital appointment coordination, travel arrangements to Thailand, interpretation, and overseas patient accompaniment.

For cross‑border or overseas fertility families, what truly reduces anxiety is often not a simple "don't be nervous," but: I know what the next step is, and I know whom to turn to if something comes up. A sense of certainty is itself a very important form of support.

X. When should you seek professional psychological support?

Normal nervousness, anticipation, and occasional low mood do not indicate a psychological problem. However, if during long‑term pregnancy preparation you experience signs that significantly affect daily life – such as persistent poor sleep, frequent uncontrollable low mood and crying, notable avoidance of intimate relationships because of trying to conceive, spending a large amount of time each day repeatedly searching for pregnancy‑related information, feeling severely self‑critical upon seeing others get pregnant, or ongoing emotional distress due to family pressure or treatment outcomes – then talking to a professional counselor or relevant specialist is a completely reasonable option. Seeking support does not mean "psychological weakness."

Long‑term pregnancy preparation, repeated failures, and the IVF process itself are experiences that may come with high uncertainty. A person's emotions deserve to be taken seriously.

Final thoughts: Pregnancy has never been just "the uterus's business"

The real value of this study on the nucleus accumbens is not that it has discovered a "brain switch" that can predict pregnancy. On the contrary, it reminds us once again: the human body is never composed of isolated, unrelated organs.

The brain, hormones, behavior, sleep, emotions, reproductive system, and living environment are all constantly interacting. We certainly need to pay attention to AMH, follicles, sperm, embryos, and endometrium, and we should respect the professional help provided by modern reproductive medicine. But at the same time, do not forget to care for the "person" who is going through all of this.

Whether you are trying naturally, undergoing IVF, or planning third‑generation IVF in Thailand, overseas fertility treatment, or cross‑border childbearing, you do not need to demand positivity and optimism from yourself every day, nor should you blame yourself for occasional anxiety. What is truly worth striving for is to make this journey a little less chaotic, a little more understandable; a little less lonely, a little more accompanied.