New research indicates that the “mom brain” phenomenon can actually be observed in changes to brain composition during pregnancy. However, things go back to normal after birth, so expectant moms should just be comforted that there’s a reason that they keep forgetting their keys.
“It’s very exciting that we do have data that’s coming out that’s saying that there is an actual physiologic reason why many people do experience mom brain,” said Henry Ford Health Midwife Andrea Altomaro in a recent interview with WWJ Newsradio. “Of course, everyone’s experience is going to be different and you’re going to experience this to varying degrees. But the important thing I think is realizing that other people are going through some of these changes and you don’t have to be embarrassed or feel isolated by them.”
According one recent study, “precision imaging” found “that pregnancy is characterized by reductions in grey matter volume, cortical thinning and enhanced white matter microstructural integrity that unfold week by week.”
Grey matter and white matter make up the brain. Per the Cleveland Clinic, grey “plays a significant role in mental functions, memory, emotions and movement,” and is an essential part of the brain. Altomaro said that various factors contribute to pregnancy-related brain changes, with hormonal changes being the biggest factor.
“This actually causes changes in the brain structure where we actually have a reduction in the grey matter in the brain. And this can lead to difficulty remembering things, poor attention or concentration, difficulty finding the right words, and sometimes even trouble with problem solving and decision making,” she explained to WWJ’s Taylor Dietz.
Altomaro said that mom brain typically kicks in shortly after someone becomes pregnant. In addition to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and shifting priorities can contribute to the mom brain phenomenon.
“There are a few things that you can do to help improve some of these symptoms of mom brain. Number one is sleep, which of course is a little bit laughable once your baby has arrived. But sleeping when you can and making sure that you take naps if they're really necessary can make a huge difference in the way that you feel mentally,” she said. “Another thing that you could do is to set reminders for important tasks, medications, or appointments.”
Altomaro also recommends staying hydrated and asking friends for help. For those who want to help out the pregnant people in their lives, they should just be assured that mom brain is normal and to be there for expectant moms when they ask for help. There are also support groups for expectant mothers that can provide a place to share frustrations.
“You know, motherhood changes us in many ways, but at least we know that this fogginess and forgetfulness eventually does resolve,” Altomaro said. “We’re probably not going to ever go back to exactly the version of ourselves that we were pre-children, but you do get back to a place where you feel settled in your new identity and pieces of your old self start to come back.”