The Science Behind Pregnancy Brain

The Science Behind Pregnancy Brain

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During pregnancy, have you ever struggled to remember things or felt unfocused while doing something? The condition you're experiencing is known as pregnancy brain.

In this article, you can find out what a pregnancy brain is and whether it is dangerous for pregnant women. Let us now begin the discussion.

 

What is pregnancy brain?

Pregnancy brain is not a mental illness or something harmful; rather, it refers to the frequent forgetfulness or memory problems that some pregnant women experience during pregnancy.

According to experts, this condition could be caused by hormonal changes, lack of sleep, stress, or changes in the pregnant woman's brain during pregnancy.

Pregnancy brain typically begins in the first trimester and peaks in the third trimester. However, some women may experience it following childbirth.

Studies have found that pregnancy affects changes in the brain in several ways, including:

  • Worse memory capabilities compared to before pregnancy
  • Memory disturbances, especially in spatial recognition memory
  • Changes in mood, anxiety, and depression influenced by hormonal changes
  • Changes in cognitive abilities
  • These are the factors that contribute to pregnancy brain

 

What are the signs of pregnancy brain?

Pregnancy brain is also known as momnesia or baby brain. This condition refers to the effort to remember and the brain fog experienced by women during pregnancy and sometimes still experienced after childbirth. The symptoms of pregnancy in the brain include:

  • Memory problems
  • Frequent forgetfulness
  • Poor concentration
  • Confusion
  • Carelessness
  • Body disorientation
  • Difficulty reading
  • Difficulty remembering words or names

 

How to overcome pregnancy brain?

Pregnancy brain is not something harmful and should not be a cause for concern. However, this condition may cause you to overlook some important things or details in daily life.

To address the symptoms caused by pregnancy brain, here are some things you should do:

  • Use daily reminder apps to remember important tasks
  • Keep frequently used items in the same place to make them easy to find when needed
  • Set alarms and notifications for important tasks that must not be missed, such as medication times, meetings, or other important tasks
  • Save some important information in photos or videos so you can review them anytime you need the information
  • Stick small notes in visible places to remind you of certain things
  • Label each box or storage place with a list of contents to make searching easier
  • Get enough sleep every day because pregnant women need more sleep than usual
  • Exercise regularly to improve cognitive abilities, train memory, improve sleep quality, and increase alertness throughout the day
  • Meet nutritional needs and have a healthy diet
  • Stay hydrated

 

It is normal to forget things or have difficulty concentrating while pregnant. However, if you are constantly sad, lose interest in activities you used to enjoy, or cry for no apparent reason, you should see a doctor.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

 

Looking for more information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the health of women and children? Click here!

 

 

Writer : Agatha Writer
Editor :
  • Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Last Updated : Wednesday, 29 May 2024 | 04:57

Lauren Barth (2020). Is Pregnancy Brain Real?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/is-pregnancy-brain-real

Colleen de Bellefonds (2021). What is pregnancy brain?. Available from: https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/pregnancy-brain-why-it-happens-and-how-to-be-less-forgetful_236

Kendra Cherry (2022). The Truth About Pregnancy Brain. Available from: https://www.verywellfamily.com/pregnancy-brain-4156471

Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby (2022). Sleep during pregnancy. Available from: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/sleep-during-pregnancy