The History of “Mommy Brain”
Ever since the beginning of time, the transition to motherhood has been considered an esoteric miracle, as many societies, cultures, and religions have attempted to form a complete and logical explanation to characterize this process. One of the most important aspects of motherhood that often went untouched for centuries is what is now known as “mommy brain” or “pregnancy brain”. This term is used to describe the changes in cognitive function that women experience during and after the postpartum period. The phenomenon of pregnancy brains has been documented for centuries, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that physicians began to study the effects of pregnancy on the brain of the mother. In the early 2000s, researchers began to observe structural changes in the brains of pregnant women. During this time, many researchers began to explore the relationship between pregnancy and cognitive function. The results have and continue to be somewhat inconsistent due to the fact that every woman and mother experiences pregnancy in a completely unique way. However, there is enough evidence covering this topic which can be gathered to provide a comprehensive overview of this phenomenon. Studying this phenomenon at length can provide an abundance of knowledge which we can use to better treat and view pregnant women, experienced mothers, and their children.
In “A Historical Review of the Pregnancy Brain”, authors Jessica B. Connely and Kelly A. Young Wolf provide a historical review of the concept of “pregnancy brain”. This is the general idea that pregnant women experience many cognitive changes during and after birth, primarily forgetfulness and distractibility. The authors begin by stating that while this concept has been a popular topic of discussion as of recent years, it actually has a long history dating back to ancient times. Beyond this, they explain that understanding the physical context of the pregnancy brain phenomena is essential for us to be able to distinguish the myths and misconceptions from the truth. According to the American Psychological Association, a significant percentage of pregnant women report experiencing cognitive difficulties during and after pregnancy. A recent study conducted in 2021 has shown that pregnant women in their second and third trimesters experienced impairment in memory and language skills, particularly naming. This phenomenon, known as “mommy brain,” is believed to be caused by a surge of pregnancy hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, which can affect cognition. These hormonal changes also trigger architectural changes in the brain.
In efforts to interpret this idea without bias, the authors gather information regarding pregnancy brain from a wide variation of historical sources. Primarily, according to Ancient Greek and Roman beliefs, they had believed that pregnancy would cause women’s bodies and minds to become weaker. Later, during the Renaissance-Era, it was commonly believed that pregnancy was a period of growth and beauty, where women were gifted with a heightened sense of spirituality and creativity. Such beliefs were frequently used to create societal expectations and perceived limitations for pregnant women. As the evolution of science approached the 19th and 20th century, scientific research began to challenge these beliefs (Connely & Young-Wolf, 2017). Early studies at this time found no evidence of cognitive deficits in pregnant women, while other research claimed the opposite, that pregnancy can have a negative impact on cognitive processing and functions.
The authors explain that the foundations of this phenomenon could have contributed to the harmful myth and stereotypes about pregnant women that pose a threat to the autonomy and the agency of women. With the above in mind, it would be beneficial to consider a more modern and evidence-based understanding of the pregnancy brain in today's world. The authors argue that it is essential to study this topic in totality, without automatically generalizing or stigmatizing all pregnant women worldwide to a few symptoms. While it is true that pregnancy has been shown to have some negative cognitive effects on women, we must consider the fact that further research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms of pregnancy brain and as well as the magnitude and longevity of these symptoms (Connely & Young-Wolf, 2017).