Is Pregnancy Brain Real?

The pregnancy brain, also known as “mommy’s brain,” is a common occurrence experienced by many pregnant women. It refers to temporary cognitive changes and memory lapses during pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations and brain changes are believed to be contributing factors. Symptoms may include forgetfulness, lack of focus, slower processing speed, and word-finding difficulties. While these changes can be frustrating, they are typically mild and transient, resolving on their own after pregnancy. Strategies such as organization, getting enough sleep, and engaging in mental stimulation can help manage the impact of pregnancy brain. Consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended for further guidance if concerns arise.

If you are looking for a doctor to help you during pregnancy and delivery, Dr. Naim provides the best prenatal care in Los Angeles.

How the brain changes in pregnancy

While not all studies agree, most evidence suggests that people experience significant declines in various cognitive skills during pregnancy.

Impacts on memory

Research has shown different results on memory among pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant women. In a study, pregnant and postpartum women showed poorer memory skills than nonpregnant women, especially in spatial recognition memory.

This type of memory allows you to remember the position of an object in relation to other objects. For example, browsing your local grocery store every week, thanks to your spatial memory, is much easier than shopping at a new store.

Not all studies point to major cognitive differences between pregnant and nonpregnant subjects. For example, another 2014 study looked at pregnant women in their third trimester, women three months postpartum, and those not.

While pregnant and postpartum women reported higher levels of memory problems, study results showed no differences between controls and pregnant/postpartum women on a range of memory, attention, and executive function measures.

The inconclusive results surrounding the pregnancy brain may be due in part to the nature of pregnancy studies. While many human studies show impaired brain function in pregnancy, animal studies point to improved cognitive ability during pregnancy. Experts explain that this could be due to the different nature of memory tests administered to humans versus animals and inherent differences between species.

Alterations in mood

Pregnant people report higher anxiety, depression, and other negative mood indicators. Many physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy are similar to premenstrual symptoms.

People with significant PMS symptoms are likelier to experience mood swings during pregnancy. While mood swings are common in pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you’re concerned or if your mood interferes with your daily life.

Changes in gray matter

Widespread changes in cognitive and mood tasks suggest that several brain regions change during pregnancy. One study found that pregnancy causes dramatic changes in the brain, so researchers can tell if a person has had a baby simply by looking at a brain scan. One study found that gray matter shrinks in areas of the brain associated with processing and responding to social signals.

Loss of brain volume in these areas may indicate a process of maturation and specialization, allowing parents to be more focused and attuned to their infants’ needs. These changes in gray matter volume persist for at least two years postpartum and are associated with a stronger parent-child bond.

What causes pregnancy brain?

An expectant parent will experience several physical and mental changes that can lead to pregnancy brain. But, while the anecdotal evidence for temporary cognitive decline is strong, this research has produced mixed results.

A 2014 study found that while pregnant women and new mothers reported more memory loss and amnesia than a nonpregnant control group, actual neuropsychological measurements showed little difference in brain function between the two groups.

Hormonal changes

Hormones are the main player in all kinds of pregnancy-related diseases. During pregnancy, the body experiences a sharp increase in hormones such as progesterone and estrogen; some doctors and scientists believe this increase can affect the ability to think, remember easily, and focus.

Hormones are the main player in all kinds of pregnancy-related diseases. During pregnancy, the body experiences a sharp increase in various hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, and some doctors and scientists believe that this dramatic increase can affect the ability to think, remember easily, and focus.

Pregnant women scored significantly lower in spatial recognition memory (SRM) tests than nonpregnant women in the second trimester and later. In other words, they had difficulty remembering the locations and spatial relationships between different objects.

Sleep deprivation

During pregnancy, most women experience some degree of insomnia. Many mothers-to-be suffer extreme fatigue during the first trimester and may never feel completely rested.

In addition, early distressing symptoms such as heartburn, leg cramps, and nausea may prevent a woman from getting much-needed sleep. Other expectant mothers find it difficult to sleep late in pregnancy. Finding a comfortable position is almost impossible; the pain can be non-stop, and wake up every half hour.

Lack of sleep can make a mother completely out of sorts and affect her mood and memory. When you sleep, the brain makes important connections that help a person process information, so losing it can be a reason for losing a train of thought.

Stress and anxiety

It is safe to say that you have a lot of pressure on your mind during pregnancy. You want to give birth to a new person; it is a heavy, exciting, and completely exhausting burden. Duties and life conditions will change completely, and there is usually fear of childbirth.

Physical changes in the brain

The scans showed that pregnant women would experience a significant reduction in gray matter volume in areas of the brain that help with social cognition. It was also found that these changes occur in the parts of the brain that cause relationships. This could be the brain’s way of clearing space for maternal attachment.

What can be done for the pregnant brain?

There are some brain-boosting steps you can take to boost your mental intelligence.

Sleep

Sleep is scarce during pregnancy and can be elusive in the early weeks and months after delivery. A few steps to calm your mind and body can help create a more peaceful environment. Create an evening routine, turn off your cell phone, and do breathing exercises. During sleep, the brain can make important connections that help encourage cognitive function, so do whatever you can to prioritize rest.

Eat well

There may be strong cravings and insatiable appetite during pregnancy; adding some main ingredients to the meal is suggested. Some foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins help the brain function. Here are a few things to add to your future grocery list:

Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon and other fatty fish are rich in DHA and omega-3 fatty acids, which help build brain cells needed for cognition and memory.
Blueberry: Rich in color and flavor, blueberries have antioxidants that fight brain-fogging inflammation and help strengthen communication between brain cells.
Eggs: Egg yolks have a high concentration of choline, a nutrient that makes acetylcholine, which helps stabilize mood and improve memory.
Spinach: Green leafy vegetables are packed with vitamin K, folate, and other brain-boosting vitamins and minerals to help boost thinking and memory.

Hydrate

Drinking water is always vital, but it’s certainly more important during pregnancy and postpartum recovery, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

The brain needs water to function properly. Even mild dehydration can have adverse effects on the ability to concentrate and completely reduce energy levels.

Set reminders

If you have trouble remembering things or staying focused, set yourself up for success using simple tactics to stimulate your mind.

A daily schedule planner can help you be less scattered and organized. Use your smartphone, set alarms, and fill in your calendar.

Play brain-boosting games

Just as muscles need exercise to peak performance, the brain benefits from a mental workout. Crosswords, Sudoku, and other solitaire games move the brain’s gears.

Show yourself kindness

During pregnancy and after the child’s birth, you have many things going on physically, mentally, and emotionally. Don’t beat yourself up if something slips your mind or you just can’t escape it. Learn to forgive when you forget.

Exercise

Exercise helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, as well as better oxygenation. Avoid feeling sluggish by doing some light exercises during pregnancy. It has been proven to help fight pregnancy brain, as well as help maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress, and reduce recovery time after delivery.

Fresh air

Breathing fresh air can help clear the mind of cluttered thoughts and make you feel more alert. Getting outside or leaving your usual environment can cause the brain to focus on new stimuli, increasing alertness. Even opening a window to breathe fresh air can cause a mild change in the skin, which alerts the brain to new sensations.

Meditate

Meditation has been proven to increase mental performance and reduce stress.

The bottom line

Many pregnant women report symptoms of what’s known as “pregnancy brain,” such as forgetfulness, brief periods of memory loss, and mental fogginess, and several studies confirm that pregnancy can lead to poorer cognitive function and affect the brain. Meanwhile, other studies show little or no difference in brain function between pregnant women and those who are not.

The medical community may wonder if the pregnancy brain is real, but know that it is normal to experience brain fog, blackouts, and other similar symptoms during pregnancy. An interesting study has revealed the physical changes in the brain during pregnancy and suggests that these changes can help prepare for parenthood and bonding with a new baby.

Regardless, do your best to be patient while you overcome these symptoms and face other challenges during your pregnancy. Remind yourself that you are on a wonderful journey, and it won’t be long before you welcome the newest member of your family!

Additional questions

Can maternal stress affect the fetus?

High levels of stress that persist for long periods may cause health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. During pregnancy, stress can increase the risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby.

What hormones fluctuate during pregnancy?

The level of HCG hormone in the mother’s blood and urine increases greatly during the first trimester of pregnancy. They may contribute to the nausea and vomiting often associated with pregnancy.

How many hours should a pregnant woman sleep?

Between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day is recommended.

How much water should you drink during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you should drink 8 to 12 cups of water every day. Water has many benefits. It helps in digestion and helps in the formation of amniotic fluid around the fetus. Water also helps the circulation of nutrients in the body and helps to remove waste products from the body.