A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has unveiled that pregnancy leads to a reduction in certain areas of gray matter in women’s brains. This alteration appears to impact how expectant mothers perceive the emotions, intentions, and actions of others. Interestingly, these changes can persist for up to two years after giving birth, transforming “pregnancy brain” into “mom brain.”
And honestly, who didn’t see this coming? New mothers become so engrossed in the monumental task of caring for a tiny human that the feelings of anyone else often take a back seat.
What do we prioritize?
Sleep! Surviving yet another day with a baby who treats our bodies like an all-night buffet is a top concern. Producing ample milk, dodging the discomfort of mastitis, and ensuring our partners are on takeout duty for the foreseeable future become our new reality. The feelings of others? Unless it’s our cranky toddler and we need to escape the grocery store intact, they don’t really register.
The study also indicated uncertainty regarding which gray matter regions are affected beyond those responsible for processing faces and emotional cues. From my personal experience of navigating pregnancy twice, I have a few theories about the areas that might be impacted:
- The part that usually signals when it’s time for a shampoo. I swear it was a pregnant woman who invented dry shampoo. Can we give a collective cheer for the messy bun (or topknot) making a comeback?
- Your olfactory senses — but primarily concerning the unique scent of your unwashed self and your baby’s delightful aroma. You might still catch the whiff of a stray M&M from a passing car.
- The area that tells you to be polite when strangers feel entitled to touch your baby bump. Yes, it’s large and awe-inspiring, but touching strangers is still a no-go. Seriously, keep your hands to yourself!
- The level of concern about trying on swimsuits? Pretty much nonexistent.
- The annoyance threshold for anyone who isn’t as thrilled about your pregnancy as you are. If cervical dilation isn’t the most captivating topic for you, we might not be friends.
- Your ability to tolerate the smell of frying meat — a superpower that can disappear in an instant when a whiff hits your nostrils.
- The brain signal that determines when it’s time to stop indulging in nachos with sour cream. “Limits are for losers” was my mantra back then.
- The self-control to avoid violence against anyone who inquires if you’re expecting twins. Unless you’ve seen the ultrasound, assume the answer is no, and zip it.
- The voice in your head advising you not to wear the same shirt for a week because it’s the only thing that fits. You look like a mess, but who cares?
- The urge to retaliate against strangers in aisle four at the grocery store who feel compelled to share horror stories about pregnancy. You know who you are, lady in the health food aisle!
- The motivation for any personal grooming — yeah, that’s gone for a while.
- The once-envious gaze at celebrities’ flawless post-baby photos. We know the truth behind those filters and edits.
- Your ability to ignore a crying baby? That’s out the window; now you get a jolt of anxiety with every wail.
- The capability to focus on anything besides the little miracle you’ve brought into the world. It’s hard not to stare at that tiny human you’ve dreamed about since childhood.
- And finally, the urge to smother your peacefully snoring partner at 3 a.m. Those sleepy, soundly resting partners of wide-awake pregnant women better keep an eye out!
These are just a few brain areas likely impacted by pregnancy. I can’t recall every detail since I’ve experienced pregnancy brain not once but twice! Our kids take our memories, our sleep, our bodies, and now, it seems, our brains too. But those adorable little bundles of joy are absolutely worth every bit of it.
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Summary
Pregnancy significantly alters women’s brains, affecting areas related to emotional processing and self-care. New mothers often prioritize survival, sleep, and the well-being of their infants over everything else. The changes in brain function can lead to various humorous and relatable challenges during and after pregnancy.