Is Pregnancy Brain Real?
Many people have dismissed pregnancy brain, also referred to as baby brain, as an old wives’ tale. Yet, many pregnant women often report poor concentration or bad decision-making.
If your brain is feeling foggy, you are struggling to focus, or more indecisive than usual, you might be wondering if pregnancy brain is a real thing. If so, keep reading to find out more.
Baby Brain Study – Yes, Pregnancy Brain is a Real Thing
According to a 2018 study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, pregnancy brain is real. Researchers reviewed the cognitive function of 709 pregnant women, as well as 521 women who weren’t expecting a baby.
Each pregnant and non-pregnant woman was asked to complete a series of task, such as a digit span test that required them to memorise numbers in a row. The task results found mothers-to-be performed worse on tasks focused on decision-making, memory, planning and attention, which was compared to non-pregnant women.
It’s believed that baby brain can affect expectant mothers differently throughout pregnancy. For instance, the study found that baby brain occurred at the start of the first trimester before stabilising towards the end of the second to the third trimester.
However, the study proved that pregnant women performed within the normal range, but they were not as sharp as non-pregnant women. While there was a noticeable difference in their performance, baby brain is unlikely to have a dramatic effect on everyday life.
The Cause of Pregnancy Brain
It is unclear why pregnancy brain occurs or how long it will last after a woman gives birth. One study found a decrease in grey matter in the brain, which processes social information, and it helps a mother establish a bond with their baby and decode their child’s facial expressions.
Baby brain could an adaptive phenomenon that could help pregnant women prepare for motherhood. The study also found that grey matter loss was restored two years after childbirth.
Other Causes of Baby Brain
In addition to a reduction in grey matter, many factors could contribute baby brain. For example, elevated hormones could be to blame, which can cause poor memory, low mood, and increased anxiety.
A lack of sleep can cause forgetfulness, poor focus, or memory problems. Also, it could be the culprit once your baby has arrived in the world, as they’ll likely have many sleepless nights caring for a newborn.
Stress could be another factor. Caring for a child can place great physical and mental pressure on mothers, which is why baby brain symptoms can often strike.
If you are struggling with baby brain, it could be due to one or more factors. While you cannot control rising hormones or decreased grey matter in the brain, you could improve some symptoms by grabbing some shuteye while you can and attempting to lower your stress levels.
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