By Alanna Iacovetti
What Is "Mom Brain"?
Mom brain, pregnancy brain, momnesia—whatever you call it, the brain fog and difficulty focusing that some moms experience during pregnancy and postpartum is very real.
Why Does Mom Brain Happen?
For months after having my baby, I:
✔ Misplaced my keys constantly
✔ Forgot names and simple words
✔ Missed appointments (even with reminders!)
✔ Misplaced my keys constantly
✔ Forgot names and simple words
✔ Missed appointments (even with reminders!)
I always assumed this was just sleep deprivation and stress—and while that may be part of it, there’s actually a scientific explanation.
How Motherhood Changes Your Brain
According to a growing body of research, pregnancy and postpartum trigger major brain adaptations to help new moms adjust to motherhood.
"Pregnancy results in changes to maternal physiology and the brain that may extend into older age. New results show that pregnancy-induced reductions in gray matter volume remain two years after childbirth."
What does this mean?
✔ Your brain isn’t shrinking—it’s rewiring!
✔ Certain areas decrease in volume, while others grow.
✔ These changes help new moms focus on what’s most important.
✔ Your brain isn’t shrinking—it’s rewiring!
✔ Certain areas decrease in volume, while others grow.
✔ These changes help new moms focus on what’s most important.
Why Do These Brain Changes Happen?
Postpartum brain growth happens in key areas that help new moms bond with their baby and make better parenting decisions. According to What to Expect:
"Research shows that postpartum growth in the amygdala, hypothalamus, and substantia nigra is associated with positive feelings about your baby. And growth in the prefrontal cortex may help a mother make the many, many decisions she faces every day as well as manage her emotions."
In simple terms:
✔ Your brain is prioritizing baby care
✔ Less essential areas shrink so others can grow
✔ Mom brain isn’t forgetfulness—it’s adaptation!
✔ Your brain is prioritizing baby care
✔ Less essential areas shrink so others can grow
✔ Mom brain isn’t forgetfulness—it’s adaptation!
Managing Mom Brain: It Won’t Last Forever Tips to Help Stay on Track:
✔ Write to-do lists & use reminders (because life is BUSY!)
✔ Be patient with yourself—your brain is literally rewiring!
✔ Know that this phase won’t last forever—your focus will return. Your body and mind are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.
✔ Write to-do lists & use reminders (because life is BUSY!)
✔ Be patient with yourself—your brain is literally rewiring!
✔ Know that this phase won’t last forever—your focus will return. Your body and mind are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.
Being a mom is like nothing else in the world. It’s no wonder that our brains need to adapt to that!