There is a lot of talk about “pregnancy brain”, which is described as the forgetfulness that women sometimes experience during pregnancy. I’ve suffered from it too, over the course of four pregnancies. However, recent research casts doubt on the long held association between having a baby and a reduction in brain power.
It turns out, having children may be good for the brain and the benefits may be lasting. According to research conducted at the University of Virginia by Dr. Craig Kinsley, having children increases a woman’s mental ability and offers some degree of protection against brain degenerative diseases in old age.
Kinsley theorizes that changes in brain function during pregnancy may indicate that the brain may be “remodeled” during pregnancy. According to Kinsley’s research, this happens to help women prepare for the mental demands of raising children. These very changes in the brain are what Kinsley thinks is responsible for increasing mental ability and protecting the brain as we age.
Several other studies have also called into question the belief that mental ability declines with motherhood, including studies in the United States and Australia. These studies were largely surveys conducted with pregnant women and new mothers. No correlation was found between motherhood and mental decline.
Take heart in this new research and remember that forgetfulness is generally temporary. Some forgetfulness and decreased concentration may even continue in the early months after the birth. Much of it may actually be due to sleep deprivation and disappear after your sleep patterns return to normal.