Pregnancy comes with a list of side effects. From swollen calves swollen nosepregnant women undergo various physical changes. However, pregnancy can also cause changes in your body, which can affect your brain.
Don’t worry. Pregnancy doesn’t permanently damage or disrupt anything inside your skull; Forgetfulness, feeling absent-minded, and feeling foggy are all common symptoms, a phenomenon known as “pregnancy brain.”
Forgetting your keys, calling your mom back, and making appointments can all be part of your pregnant brain. And it’s easy to get frustrated with your own lack of attention, especially when others feel different too.
Although there isn’t much scientific research to support pregnancy brain, anecdotes from women prove it’s real. A 2014 study published in Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Researchers found that pregnant women reported memory loss. But when they scanned the brains of non-pregnant women, their brains looked similar.
Another study published in 2014 brain and cognition found it On tests that examine spatial relationships between different objects, pregnant women in the second trimester scored much lower than non-pregnant women.
So is pregnancy brain something to worry about, or something to avoid? We take a look at the science behind this common side effect of carrying your child.
What are the brain symptoms during pregnancy?
Pregnancy brain, also known as “mommy brain,” can be subtle or very noticeable in some people.
Brain symptoms during pregnancy include:
- mental fog
- memory issues
- forgetfulness
- clumsiness
- Difficulty remembering names or words
- fantasize
- have difficulty completing tasks
- difficult to carry on a conversation
The length of these symptoms varies from person to person, but Some women may experience pregnancy brain for a year after giving birth.
What causes pregnancy brain?
When you’re pregnant, focusing on daily tasks can suddenly become more complicated. In fact, pregnancy brain can start as early as the baby. first semester This is due to the influx of hormones in the body. Some women claim that this is the first symptom they are experiencing.
The first trimester is when pregnancy side effects are most severe, so it’s no wonder that pregnancy brain is on the list. During the first trimester, mothers-to-be usually suffer from insomnia, which can contribute to brain fog.
During this time, many pregnant women experience heartburn, leg cramps, and morning sickness, which contributes to all sorts of forgetfulness. Additionally, these symptoms can disrupt your sleep and increase your feeling of pure fatigue.
If you don’t get enough sleep, your neurons may become overworked and affect your memory. Additionally, sleep deprivation impairs hippocampal connectivity When learning new things, For example, remembering your doctor’s appointment or where you left your wallet.
Another component of the pregnancy brain is hormonal fluctuations throughout pregnancy. Pregnant people may not feel like themselves until six months after birth, and a pregnancy brain may still be present after birth.
Some researchers believe that the sudden surge of progesterone and estrogen may cause problems with memory and clear thinking.
Plus, pregnancy is new and stressful. You may be unprepared or overwhelmed. It’s okay to be scared. feel anxious If you’re distracted by what’s going on in your mind, it can be difficult to focus on what’s in front of you.
Another reason for pregnancy brain, according to a study published in 2016 natural neuroscienceare actual physical changes to the brain. Researchers looked at brain scans of pregnant women and found decreased gray matter volume in areas associated with social cognition.
The study reports that this may be related to the connection between a pregnant woman’s brain and her child as she prepares to give birth. Researchers followed mothers after giving birth and found that it can take up to two years for these changes to return to normal.
Can pregnancy brain be cured?
Pregnancy brain is something you get when you have a baby in your womb, but if you’re feeling groggy and irritable, there are some treatments you can try.
First things first: sleep. All pregnant women should make sure they get enough sleep, whether they’ve experienced pregnancy brain or not.
If you really can’t sleep, try the following: practice breathing techniquesjoin lnight yoga Place yourself in a peaceful environment for relaxation.
Alternatively, nutritious meals. Cravings during pregnancy can overwhelm us and feel impossible to fight, but try adding a few items to your daily diet to improve brain health. foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin Contains salmon, blueberries, eggs, and spinach.
Also check the following: drink enough water all day long. Even slight dehydration can affect memory and cognition in non-pregnant people.
So, while there is no cure for pregnancy brain, there are lifestyle factors that can help you feel less irritated.
To get through the days, try the following:
- Setting reminders and alarms on your phone can help you remember important tasks.
- buy a calendar
- take a breath of fresh air
- exercise
- meditate
- Let’s do a puzzle
Above all, don’t be too hard on yourself. Your body is changing faster than you’ve ever experienced before. Give yourself grace and patience and be sure to write down where you left your keys.
