A recent study featured in Nature Neuroscience revealed that pregnancy can shrink certain regions of the brain’s gray matter. It appears these changes impact how expectant mothers perceive the actions, intentions, and emotions of those around them. Interestingly, these effects can linger for up to two years, transitioning from “pregnancy brain” to “mom brain.”
And honestly, who needed a study to tell us that? New moms are laser-focused on survival—keeping their little ones alive and managing their own well-being—so the emotional states of anyone else, aside from their newborn, become far less significant.
What truly occupies our minds? Sleep. Surviving the relentless hours with a baby who treats your body like an all-night diner. Producing enough milk and dodging the dreaded mastitis. Mesh underwear? Yes, please. Ensuring our partners understand that takeout is now a lifelong commitment? Absolutely. And let’s not even get started on avoiding public accidents. The feelings of others? Unless it’s our cranky toddler and we need to wrangle them out of the grocery store intact, they’re not on our radar.
The study also noted that while pregnant women might struggle with emotional processing, they were unclear about the full extent of gray matter reduction. Drawing from my own experiences of carrying a child twice, I have a few thoughts on which brain regions might be impacted:
- The area that triggers when it’s time to wash your hair. Honestly, was it not a pregnant person who created dry shampoo? And can we get a collective cheer for the return of the messy bun?
- Your olfactory senses—especially regarding your own unwashed self and your baby’s unique aroma. But hey, you can still sniff out a rogue candy from a mile away.
- The part of you that compels politeness when strangers feel the need to touch your pregnant belly. Seriously, it’s not an open invitation!
- Your concern level when trying on swimsuits. Let’s be real—those worries are practically nonexistent now.
- The annoyance threshold for anyone who isn’t as enthusiastic about your pregnancy as you are. If you’re not fascinated by my dilation progress, then we have a problem.
- The ability to tolerate the smell of fried foods. I still shudder at the memory of walking into all-day breakfast spots.
- The judgment-free zone for late-night nacho binges. Limits? What are those?
- The mental filter that reminds you not to lash out at anyone asking if you’re expecting twins. Unless you have solid confirmation, assume the answer is no.
- The part that questions your wardrobe choices when you realize you’ve worn the same T-shirt for a week. You may look like a mess, but you just don’t care.
- The urge to throttle the stranger in aisle 4 who insists on sharing their pregnancy horror stories. You know who you are, random lady at the grocery store.
- Your motivation for hair removal? Almost nonexistent.
- The envy that once accompanied celebrity moms flaunting flawless post-baby bodies. We know the truth behind the filters.
- The ability to ignore a crying baby? Gone. Now, every little cry sends a jolt of anxiety through you.
- The focus you once had on anything other than your newborn? Good luck with that—your life has officially changed.
- And that part of you that would never dream of smothering your snoring partner at 3 a.m.? Let’s just say they might want to sleep with one eye open.
These are just a few brain functions that seem to take a hit during and after pregnancy. But let’s face it, those adorable little bundles of joy are worth every bit of chaos.
For more insightful reads on these changes, check out this post. If you’re considering home insemination, Make a Mom offers reliable kits to get you started, and Resolve is a great resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination options.
In summary, pregnancy undeniably reshapes the way women think and respond, but it’s all part of the wild, beautiful journey into motherhood.