We study the biological and psychological mechanisms involved in optimal adaptation of mothers following the landmark event of childbirth, the disruption of which may pose an enduring threat to the development of the offspring. Our research is focused on characterizing outcomes of psychopathology alongside the capacity for resilience and even psychological growth in the wake of a psychologically traumatic childbirth experience. We integrate a multi-time, multi-methods approaches, longitudinal samples, and neuroimaging to elucidate the mechanisms of postpartum psychopathology and the uncharted scientific territory of childbirth-evoked posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as the factors of intergenerational disease effects transmission. Ultimately our goal is to develop novel tools for early detection of mothers at risk for postpartum mental illness and the development of cutting-edge preventive treatments that are effective and safe.