The mental fog that can come with pregnancy – commonly referred to as ‘baby brain’ – isn’t merely the result of discomfort, stress, and sleepless nights: A mother’s brain really does seem to change to accommodate the new arrival.
Researchers from the Netherlands have found strong evidence that there is a link between spikes in pregnancy hormones, and changes in the architecture of brain areas involved in daydreaming and contemplation.
The modifications may be nature’s way to help mothers bond with their baby, despite the fact that they can forget and have trouble staying focused.
Informally, there are many stories of pregnant absent-mindedness. TermsSuch as’mommy mind’ and’momnesia. It is as common as it seems, but its subtle effects are quite noticeable. It can be difficult to measure..
Elseline Hoekzema is a Leiden University neuroscientist who has studied the neurological changes associated with animal and human gestation for many years.
A study from 2016Hoekzema’s research showed that pregnancy is associated with significant reductions of gray matter, which is the tissue responsible for carrying messages and conducting the brain’s computations.
“During pregnancy, a woman’s hormones are constantly inundated,” Hoekzema stated in 2020, following a €1.5 million European Research Council grant for continuing research into pregnancy and neurological change.
These hormones can cause profound changes in the brain and behavior of mothers, according to animal studies. We have previously found that long-lasting changes to the brain structure of pregnant women can be caused by these hormones.
Hoekzema worked with her colleagues to map the brains 40 mothers for this new study. MRI scans. They performed the scans in the pre- and post-pregnancy, as well as imaging for a year after the baby was born.
These scans were compared to images similar to those taken from 40 women not yet pregnant.
The hormones were measured by taking urine samples at intervals of two to four weeks during the pregnancy. The mothers’ attachments to their babies – nesting behaviors, sleep patterns, and levels of psychological distress – were analyzed through surveys and questionnaires.
The results of the 28 participants in the study show that pregnancy hormones do more than just alter the brain’s “thinking” cells. They also appear to affect the way the brain connects together.
These changes are most noticeable between the regions of the brain, collectively known as the Network with default modeThis activates when your focus shifts away from the outside world and towards inner thoughts.
Although it is well-knownThis study shows that hormones such as estrogen and testosterone have a strong influence on the shaping and pruning of our neurological gardens. estradiolParticular regions of the brain are particularly vulnerable to this influence.
It’s not clear why a baby growing up might want momma to be a bit vague during pregnancy. However, the results of the questionnaire might give some clues.
The mothers’ responses suggested that having baby brain may help bond with newborns and facilitate behavioral changes that can make the difficult months of adjusting to a newborn a lot easier.
These findings suggest that neural changes in pregnancy could provide a blueprint for the development of the mother-infant bond, which may then be strengthened by interaction with the infant.” The authors write.
These studies are difficult to demonstrate a clear cause and effect relationship. Therefore, conclusions such as these are purely speculation. The interpretations might be supported or refuted by additional studies using larger groups with better analytical tools that allow for deeper analysis of cell-level changes.
We all need to be more understanding of moms-to -be when they lose their voice or forget where they have put their keys. Their brain could be making space for another little person to love.
This research was published by Nature Communications.
