New Mom Super Brains
We all know moms have superpowers, but when we hear about “mom brain”, superpower isn’t the first thing that comes to mind; yet, it should be. As a new mother, I was frustrated that my brain didn’t seem to be working as it “should”. I would forget why I went into a certain room, I would space out on words in everyday conversation, and once, I even walked out of the house with two different shoes on. I laugh now and can send myself some love, but at the time, I was kicking myself for being so spacey and forgetful instead of understanding what was going on with my brain and giving myself some much needed grace.
The Brain Upgrade
As new mothers, we are getting a brain upgrade, so to speak, in order to get our superpower to take on the tremendous work of raising a new human. Our brains are becoming super brains and creating new connections, as many as or more than we did during pubescence, so it is time to discard the negativity around “mom brain” and talk about how extraordinary and intelligent the “mom brain” is
Mom Brain Superpower: What is going on with your brain?
A mom’s brain will shrink up to 5% throughout her pregnancy to feed her baby’s brain. Approximately 7g of fat are transferring daily across the placenta to the baby by the end of pregnancy. [1]
Areas of the brain that shrink are associated with memory, emotions, muscle control, speech and decision-making and can stay in this decreased state for up to two years postpartum (after-birth). [2]
The brain shrinkage is believed to be “synaptic pruning” which is where the brain gets rid of connections that are not as important to make way for new connections (i.e. connections that will allow mom to learn the skills she needs for motherhood). [3]
During pregnancy and postpartum your brain reorganizes itself to the highest level it will likely experience as an adult. The level of brain plasticity, this ability to reorganize, is similar to what adolescents go through during puberty and can even create more new connections than during adolescence – so now you can relate to your teenager! [4]
After baby’s birth, mom’s brain grows to previous or increased pre-pregnancy levels and creates new connections for approximately 6 months postpartum in areas related to bonding and attachment, caregiving, motivation and alertness, executive function like planning and multi-tasking, as well as somatosensory information (i.e. coregulation between mom and baby). [5]
Mom’s brain also creates new pathways that promote vigilance and threat detection which can show up as increased distress and anxiety as stress responses get triggered. [4]
Hormones help create new neurons and connections in the brain. Periods of high hormonal changes, though generally beneficial, can increase vulnerability to pathologies such as mood disorders like depression and anxiety. New moms and pubescent teens are both susceptible to psychopathologies due to similar brain changes. [6] It is important to take care of your brain health during these vulnerable times. Pregnant and new moms can learn how through classes with Mothering Life.
Hormones in a new mom’s brain, also, activate the neural network linked to the Theory of Mind, which is, essentially mom’s emotional intelligence and her ability to intuitively read baby’s cues, (i.e. mother’s intuition) which helps her be a better caregiver. [4]
Celebrate your Mom Super Brain
Now that I know more, I am in awe of the incredible ability and intelligence of the mom brain. It’s ability to reorganize itself and grow in a way that makes mom the best caretaker of new life that she can be is yet another sign of how beautiful life is, so to all the pregnant and new moms out there, go out and celebrate your mom super brain. It is absolutely amazing and supporting you in your journey to motherhood!
About the Author
Danielle Hughes is the Founder of Mothering Life and a mother of two. She is an INNATE Postpartum Care practitioner and provides information and resources to expectant and new mothers, so motherhood can be the celebration that it is meant to be.
References
[1] The Postnatal Depletion Cure, Dr. Oscar Serrallach
[2] Making Sense of the Mommy Brain, Discover
[3] This is Your Brain on Motherhood, The New York Times
[4] This is your Brain on Motherhood, Good Word News
[5] Brain Plasticity in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period: Links to Maternal Caregiving and Mental Health, Archives of Women’s Mental Health
[6] Pregnancy and adolescence entail similar neuroanatomical adaptations: A comparative analysis of cerebral morphometric changes, Human Brain Mapping