Pregnancy brain is a concept that most moms (and moms-to-be!) are familiar with. It’s often used as a joke to justify confusion or forgetfulness during pregnancy.
Now, American researchers have studied the brain of pregnant women in depth, and have noticed major changes.
The brain has matured but shrunk.
In a study recently published in natural neuroscience Researchers at the University of California examined the women's brains using MRI, before pregnancy, during pregnancy and for two years after giving birth.
The brain shrank in size, with the gray matter in the brain decreasing by about two teaspoons. According to Professor Uddin, this is a sign that the brain is maturing. At the same time, white matter increased. Scientists believe this is how women prepare for life as mothers.
– Grey matter decreases in areas of the brain involved in processing higher-order thoughts. On the other hand, the volume of parts involved in emotional processing increases, says Ulrika Uddin, brain researcher and professor of neonatology at the Karolinska Institutet. to vitinskapsradion.
Some changes remained even two years after birth.
Because the study only had eight participants, it is very limited, but the results support previous research on the pregnant brain.
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