Pregnancy Brain: The Truth Behind It
The ‘baby brain’ phenomenon affects many pregnant women, but its causes and symptoms are still debated.
Baby Brain: Forget everything you thought you knew!
Baby-brain’ may be more than just hormonal changes. She added that these shifts in baby brains are a good thing!
Let’s take a step back and see what experts have said about the ‘baby’ brain, which has been so maligned. Let’s be honest; “baby brain” gets a bad reputation!
According to a 2018 study, pregnancy can alter the grey matter of the brain, possibly due to the pregnancy hormones, and these changes can last until the baby reaches the toddler stage.
The grey matter changes in the brain affect areas that regulate social cognition or how we perceive and interact with others. The shifts in grey matter are also thought to affect pregnant women, contributing to the ‘brain fog’ they often experience.
The grey matter shrinks during pregnancy.
Sasha Davies, a Deakin University professor, wrote about the ‘baby brain’ in an article for The Conversation.
Brain Optimization
Sarah Mckay, a neurologist at the University of California San Diego, says that pregnancy hormones can do a lot of good for women.
Why don’t we talk about the cognitive benefits of pregnancy? Sydney Morning Herald reports that she says, “We should be telling positive stories about the outcomes of the research.”
Dr McKay says that the ‘brain shrinking,’ which is a sign of a diminution in brain size, may be similar to adolescence. It’s better to describe it as a thinning and refining of the brain’s workings.
A kind of optimization that “prepares the mind, brain, and body for motherhood.”
We need to change the language we use and pay more attention to what is happening. When these shifts happen, women seem to gain mum superpowers and not become docile dummies.
Sleep Deprivation?
Deakin University’s study suggested that the “baby brain,” which affects memory, concentration, planning, and decision-making, was a result of a condition.
Some experts believe that the problems with memory and focus in pregnant women could be due to sleep deprivation.
If you think about it – the symptoms of ‘baby mind’ are similar to those we experience when we don’t sleep, whether pregnant or not!
Sleep deprivation can be caused by a variety of factors, including restless legs or increased anxiety. Other causes include body aches and the need to pee.
It feels much better to blame those shifts in focus and other symptoms of the baby’s brain on mums who are not getting enough sleep.
Instead of describing expectant mothers as vague or ditzy, it’s important to recognize that they are powerful and awesome and do all sorts of amazing things behind the scenes. They need to sleep more, damnit.
Is Pregnancy Brain Real?
Expect all the physical changes during pregnancy, including a growing belly, swollen legs, and — if your luck is really good — hemorrhoids. In addition to the physical changes, mental shifts, as well as actual brain alterations, occur.
You’re not making things up if you feel forgetful, distracted, or out of it. This is not just a normal day-to-day distraction. “Pregnancy Brain” is real.
It can be funny at the time (for example, when you forget to bring your birth certificate with you to a prenatal visit or find that you have put the keys back in the fridge after you forgot them! It can be both frustrating and worrying.
You want to know the science behind this silly silliness and some tips on how to lift the fog. You’re in good hands.
What is the Pregnancy Brain?
You may struggle to focus, remember tasks, or pay full attention to anything during pregnancy. This is often referred to by the term “mommy-brain” or “pregnancy-brain.”
The first trimester is the time when you experience a surge in hormones. Insomnia is a common condition in early pregnancy that can exacerbate this mental fog.
You’re going to be in for a rude surprise if you think the clouds will lift upon your baby’s birth. Postpartum hormones will continue fluctuating, and sleep deprivation has just begun.
If your hormones are in balance, you may start feeling more like yourself six months after your baby’s birth. It could also last into the toddler years. It’s going to be an exciting ride, so hold on to your thinking caps!
How do Hormones Affect the Pregnancy Brain?
Pregnancy is a result of several mental and physical changes experienced by an expecting mother. While there is a lot of anecdotal proof that temporary cognitive decline occurs, research results are mixed.
A study from 2014 found that although pregnant women and new mothers reported greater memory loss and forgetfulness compared to a nonpregnant control group, actual neuropsychological measures showed little or no difference between the two groups.
Other research and a healthy dose of commonsense can also help pinpoint some key contributors. One or more of these causes can cause pregnancy at any time.
Hormonal Changes
hormones are the real culprits of pregnancy issues. Are you experiencing an acne outbreak? Have mood swings? Breast pain? Hormones, hormones, hormones.
Hormones play a significant role in all pregnancy-related ailments.
The body is flooded with hormones during pregnancy, including progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Some doctors and scientists think that this surge could impact your ability to focus, remember easily, and think clearly.
In a study from 2014, pregnant women who were in their second or later trimester scored significantly lower on the Spatial Recognition Memory test (SRM). They had difficulty remembering the locations of objects and their spatial relationships.
If you cannot find your phone, then it is not your fault. You can blame your hormones and call yourself (assuming that you remember your phone number).
Stress and Anxiety
You’re probably thinking a lot when you’re expecting. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and heavy to be about to give birth.
You will have to prepare, keep appointments, and complete tasks. You may also be experiencing a legitimate and very real fear of childbirth.
You have a lot on your plate (and more), and it’s clogging your mental space. You may have difficulty focusing.
Changes in Brain Structure
It turns out that there’s more going on at a cellular scale, which is fueling the pregnancy brain.
There are unquestionable changes in the brain structure of women during pregnancy.
Scans revealed that pregnant women experience a categorically significant reduction in gray matter volumes in brain areas that aid in social cognition. These changes also occur in areas of the brain that foster relationships.
This may be the brain’s attempt to clear space for maternal affection. While you might not remember, if you brush your teeth, you will still be ready to cuddle up like a mother bear.
Intriguingly, scans performed after the pregnancy showed that volume changes could last up to 2 years. This means some of your child’s brain may remain in place through their toddler years.
How can you deal with a pregnant brain?
There’s no need to give up and accept your fate of forgetfulness just yet. You can improve your mental acuity by taking some steps to boost your brain.
Sleeping is Important
Sleep is difficult to come by during pregnancy, and even more so in the early weeks and months after delivery.
You can create a relaxing environment by taking a few steps to calm your mind and relax your body. Set up an evening routine. Turn off your phone and practice breathing exercises.
Sleeping can help your brain form connections that can encourage cognitive function. So, do everything you can to make rest a priority.
If all else fails, you can always try a cat snooze. A twenty-minute nap will do. While a longer nap might sound appealing, it can make you feel groggy as you transition to a deeper sleep stage.
Eat well
We understand that you may be experiencing intense cravings or an insatiable hunger during pregnancy. We support this need, but we also recommend adding some key ingredients to your meal.
It has been shown that certain foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants can help improve brain function. Here are some to add to your next grocery list:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Salmon and other fatty seafood are rich in DHA and omega-3 fats that build the brain cells necessary for cognition and memory.
- Blueberries. The antioxidants in blueberries fight inflammation that can cause brain fog and boost brain cell communication.
- The yolks of eggs. Choline is a nutrient that produces acetylcholine. Acetylcholine helps to stabilize moods and improves memory.
- Spinach. These leafy green vegetables are packed with folate and other brain-boosting vitamins and minerals. They can fuel your ability and memory.
Hydrate
Water is important for everyone, but is even more so during pregnancy and postpartum recovery – especially if breastfeeding.
The brain requires water to work properly. Dehydration, even mild, can affect your concentration and energy levels. So, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Set Reminders
You can use simple techniques to trigger your mind if you have trouble remembering or focusing.
You don’t need to wrap a string around a swollen hand — simply leave yourself sticky note reminders or friendly FYIs. You can feel more organized and less scattered by using a daily agenda planner. Use your smartphone to set alarms and add events to your calendar.
Play brain-boosting games
Your brain can benefit from mental exercise just as your muscles do. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are great solo games to get your gears moving. Lumosity, Peak, and Elevate are also apps that offer engaging activities.
Kindness is the best way to show yourself.
During pregnancy and the first few months after your baby’s birth, you will be dealing with a lot of physical, mental, and emotional stress. Do not beat yourself up when you forget something or can’t get out of a rut. You can forgive yourself when you forget and find humor in it.
Takeaway
You may feel less than sharp due to the pregnancy brain. You may make some stupid mistakes or temporarily lose the ability to think clearly. But with time, patience, and sleep, you’ll be back to your sharp self.
Recognize that this may be due to real physical, mental, and physiological causes. Your brain may be trying to help you adjust to the overwhelming and wonderful world of motherhood. That is also something to remember.
