You may be feeling more forgetful than you’d like — or maybe you actually feel like your brain function is impaired or you have memory problems. What is pregnancy brain, when does it start and will it go away postpartum? Let’s get to the bottom of this!
But first, how do I know all of this? Hi — I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse 👩⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. 🩺 I have experienced this myself, as well as talking to LOTS of other moms who are experiencing it both during pregnancy and afterwards. I’m so glad I got to research this, it’s SO interesting!
As always, if you are experiencing any cognitive symptoms it’s always worth mentioning to your provider. It is possible to have actual brain issues (like a stroke) during pregnancy, so don’t just pass of changes as pregnancy brain. This article is only for information-purposes, and is NOT intended as medical advice. Obviously if you’re having more serious issues please seek medical treatment immediately.
Ok, let’s answer that question:
When does pregnancy brain start?
Honestly, they don’t really know — but it seems to ramp up into the third trimester…. so, it’s normally worse the further along you are in your pregnancy. BUT, lots of pregnant women report it earlier in pregnancy.
We’re going to dive into all the research on this one, so stay with me. It’s going to be worth your time!
What is pregnancy brain?
It is just a generalized forgetfulness during pregnancy. Most pregnant women say that it is a real thing, but the real quesiton is if there is research that backs us up?
People also refer to it as “baby brain” (although most moms say it started during pregnancy). It is also known as ‘momnesia’. But I forget… jk. 😅
A quick reminder that taking a prenatal class online allows you to review it at your leisure, basically busting any pregnancy brain issues for your childbirth education — just sayin’….
Does ‘baby brain’ really exist?
Is pregnancy brain real? I think most pregnant woman would agree that it is. I mean, anecdotal thoughts on pregnancy brain are definitely real…. but….
What does the research show on “pregnancy brain”?
Here’s where it gets juicy guys!
This study (by Hoekzema) showed that there are affects to a woman’s brain during pregnancy, and it may stick around for up to 2 years after birth (seriously, if you have time that article is facinating)
Highlights of the study, for me, were:
- It showed losses in grey matter areas
- The loss of grey matter can actually mean your brain is maturing and specializing (not just losing your brain).
- The grey matters areas that shrink are the ones that help with processing and responding to social signals (hard to say if they’re “shrinking” or getting more “specialized” though)
- This may allow moms to respond better to their baby, as well as be alert to dangers to the baby in their surroundings
- The hippocampus, which deals with memory, also lost volume
- The grey matter changes remain after 2 years, but the hippocampus returns to how it was before pregnancy
Pregnancy Nurse Note: Your brain is made up of grey matter and white matter. Grey matter does the actual “processing” of things, and white matter mostly just conducive to the signals needed to process things. I like to think of white matter as the roads and grey matter is the office buildings where work gets done.
So, yes, there are long-lasting changes in human brain development during pregnancy. This study even showed that the changes were visible 6 years after birth. AND they could predict who did and did not have a baby by their brain scans pretty accurately (91% of the time) — even six years after baby was born. The changes in brain structure were that distinct in those who have given birth.
I liked how one of the articles I read said that your brain is getting more specialized into what you’re really going to need — which leads to long-lasting changes in the brain and I can feel that. Those changes in human brain structure may make us better moms. maybe that’s the worth the fog of pregnancy. 🙂
This study showed there was a decrease in cognitive function in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women, and that it was most different in the third trimester, although some changes were also seen even in the first trimester.
This study compared cognitive function in the first trimester vs 6 weeks postpartum and found that it was worse in that early postpartum period. Personal opinion is that this may have a LOT to do with not getting enough sleep in those first few weeks.
This study also said that these brain changes may be reinforced (or introduced for foster or adoptive parents) by our interactions with our infant and the new things we have to do like multi-tasking juggling care tasks. I love that parenting creates physiological changes (because I feel it in my heart for sure).
Off Topic: I thought this study that showed that pregnancy-specific anxiety could have negative neurodevelopmental outcomes in children when they reached school-age. Great reason to breathe a sigh of relief by taking a prenatal class!
What causes pregnancy brain?
It has always made sense to me that the increased blood flow that goes to your uterus may adjust how blood flows your brain… in reality, they’re not really sure since so many systemic changes are in effect during pregnancy (meaning your WHOLE BODY is changing so they can’t really pinpoint something).
The causes of pregnancy brain are thought to be due to the physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, leading to changes in brain function.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, hormones can cause a reduction in gray matter which affects memory and concentration. BTW this is why a pregnancy planner is so helpful!
Sleep deprivation can also play a role in causing pregnancy brain, as pregnant women often struggle to get enough restful sleep.
Postpartum can bring further forgetfulness due to the physical changes that occur in both pregnant women and new moms, such as fatigue or exhaustion which can lead to difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
Additionally, it is believed that certain hormones released during pregnancy may affect the production of neurons, leading to decreased brain cells and poorer cognitive functions. Pregnancy brain is therefore caused by a combination of physical changes and hormonal shifts which affect cognitive function, resulting in forgetfulness for many pregnant women and new moms.
Also, come join my pregnancy weekly — I’ll help you not forget a thing:
When does pregnancy brain begin?
They aren’t really sure at what point during pregnancy it starts. It is commonly thought to start in the third trimester, but research suggests that it may begin as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones have been found to play a role in the development of pregnancy brain, and many people suggest that brain fog may begin in the first trimester of pregnancy. This can manifest itself in forgetfulness, lack of focus, and difficulty concentrating (if this is you TELL US IN THE COMMENTS!!!! — I think by saying what we experience we help others feel less alone).
Some mothers-to-be report feeling more forgetful, having more memory lapses, than usual during their pregnancies, which could be due to the effects of pregnancy brain. While it is not clear exactly when pregnancy brain starts for everyone, it is likely that it begins sometime during the first trimester of pregnancy for most women.
But the reality is that you know it when you feel it, and that’s when it’s starting for you. However, most people believe it continues to “worsen” during pregnancy {and through the first few months postpartum, in my experience}.
Symptoms of Pregnancy Brain
Some people call it a brain fog — just that things seem to “compute” slower. Or you have some memory issues that take a bit to overcome.
For me it was walking into a room entirely for a purpose and once I got there I had literally no idea why I was there. That was one of my biggest symptoms of it.
I think the cool part from the research is that there are areas (like memory) that aren’t as keen as they normally are. However, other areas like being aware of others and what they’re feeling become more strong.
This MIGHT be why we cry more at sweet commercials, or Hallmark Movies {guilty}. It’s interesting to think that the two are part of the same thing. And it probably makes us love our partner, and our baby even more. Good things in my book!
How long does pregnancy brain last?
It really depends, but the studies kept watching brains up until the baby was two and noticed that the memory issues had resolved (although the brain — the grey matter was left changed).
Why does pregnancy brain happen?
Hormonal shifts could be the culprit in changing how blood flows to our brains, and possibly how the brain shifts to make us better mothers.
Sleep deprivation is definitely a thing in pregnancy, between painful hips and bathroom trips (not to mention the crazy dreams — anyone else have those?).
Body changes during pregnancy also shift how blood flows to areas of the body which may change how blood flows to the brain.
Frankly, they’re not sure. SO much is happening during pregnancy, it’s hard to tease out exactly the culprit, but we do know it’s a real thing. Also, that mom’s brains are left changed forever.
Other Questions I Have About Pregnancy Brain:
Reading all these articles brought a few more questions to mind (obviously, a few of these are really sensitive — and might not be OK to study, but I still wonder it):
- For birth parents who give babies up for adoption, how does their brain change after that {I love those ladies, hearts out to them}
- For those who experience a stillbirth, what type of brain changes are seen in them?
- For people who have someone who cares for their infant at night (and return to normal sleep), how do brain changes restore for them (I also wonder if/how they experience postpartum depression, but that’s a whole other bag of chips).
- What types of brain changes are seen throughout our lifetime as a mom. Do brains change when that baby moves out? I have felt like I’ve had a whole other shift as that baby isn’t part of my day-to-day anymore.
I’d love to know what other questions you have in the comments!
How to cope with pregnancy brain
It’s hard to feel like your body is changing SO much and you’re turning into another person, but part of the shifts in growing a baby are the brain changes. What is happening is NORMAL and expected during pregnnacy. That’s the good news.
If you feel like it’s too much, talk with your provider to make sure what you’re experiencing is normal and if they have any good tips for you.
10 ways to reduce pregnancy brain (or help you function better with it)
Heads up! 👀 There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.
1. Get plenty of rest and exercise to keep your body and mind healthy. Even a walk in the fresh air can help you feel more positive about how things are going.
2. Practice mindful meditation or yoga to reduce stress levels. Studies have shown that meditation in general helps with memory, so it might counteract any issues you’re having.
3. Eat a nutritious and balanced diet for optimal energy – consider adding a supplement with DHA to help with baby’s brain too (you can also eat more fish — just be mindful of which fish are safe during pregnancy).
4. Create lists of tasks that need to be done each day and review them regularly so nothing is forgotten (get a pregnancy planner)
5. Take breaks throughout the day to give yourself time to relax and recharge. Also, be kind to yourself! You’re growing a human for gosh-sakes!
6. Avoid multitasking whenever possible as it can lead to confusion and overwhelm. I say as I have 12 browser windows open — so I get that this one is harder than it sounds. 🤣
7. Use sticky notes or other reminders around the house when needed. Bonus points if they’re really cute and make you smile.
8. Try writing things down like grocery lists or appointments so you don’t forget them later on — honestly a good practice for the rest of your life as a mom….
9. Ask for help from family or friends with tasks that seem too overwhelming (this is where a supportive partner comes in clutch).
10. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed out about your pregnancy brain take some time for self-care activities such as reading a book or taking a nice bath.
Ok, hopefully this article helped you realize that “pregnancy brain” is real. In fact, pregnancy brain may be a badge of honor and allows us to love in ways that we couldn’t’ love before. I think those areas of the brain have given me more joy in these years as a mom. That’s how I’m choosing to look at how pregnancy and childbirth (and motherhood) affect the brain.
But girl, don’t feel like you have to do this all on your own. Come join me in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples where we prepare you from bump to bassinet to join the ranks of motherhood! We talk communication, babies, epiduarals, even third trimester testing. I’ve got you covered!
And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out my free prenatal class. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.
If you’ve experienced memory problems during pregnancy or experience pregnancy brain? Tell us in the comments!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice. She has 20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.
As an evidence-based prenatal educator Hilary has delivered thousands of babies and has educated hundreds of thousands of parents from a diverse patient population to help them have a confident birth.
Increased Baby Movements Before Labor
