Nieman: ‘Mama Brain’ is real; Let attention and focus shift to newborn

One of the most interesting moments in my clinic takes place when I meet the first mothers.

When I ask how their pregnancy unfolded and how they adapt to their new responsibilities as a mother, I am always impressed by the ways of nature to find out the brains of a new mother. This process is known as neuroplasticity of the brain during pregnancy and early motherhood.

It takes a lot of effort and wisdom to tackle the lack of sleep and hormonal changes that influence the functioning of the brain.

A large number of upcoming and new mothers report that they are forgetful, feel that their brains have become ‘foggy’, and find that their ability to concentrate and multitasking has noticeably changed. This condition is often referred to as

“Mama Brain.”

In the September 2024 edition of the magazine Natuur neuro sciences“ Researchers reported the results of brain scans on pregnant mothers.
A research team led by Drs. Laura Pritscers and Emily Jacobs at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Elizabeth Chrastil at the University of California, Irvine, confirmed neuroplasticity in the anatomy of the brain due to pregnancy.

A major remark was a reduction in the volume of gray matter. Gray matter contains the bodies of neurons, synapses and important glial cells, which are found in the surface layer of the brain known as the Cortex. These changes in the volume of gray matter are considered temporary.

In addition to changes in gray matter, changes in the white matter were also observed via MRI studies. The integrity of the white substance increased during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, according to this study, but after birth returned to the basic levels.

During the second and third trimesters, the volume of cerebrospinal fluid increased, but then fell sharply after the birth of a baby.

The implications of various mapped changes cannot be completely clear. The brain is indeed complex. The brain, especially during pregnancy, may be the only organ in the body that we understand the least – there is much more to explore.

One of the world’s most renowned brain researchers is Dr. Daniel Amen, who is a pioneer in scanning the brain. Amen regards brain scans as essential in the management of mental well -being, similar to a nephrologist who would not dream of treating patients without doing an urine test, or a cardiologist who would at least want to run an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram to understand the heart anatomy and function of the patient.

In his world-famous clinic, Amen uses a scan that is known as a spect-scan-single-Photon emission computer tomography. The activity of a brain is better understood when this tool is used. More dynamic studies are needed to map the functional changes that occur in the brain during various trimesters and when a mother takes care of her newborn.

On his website, Amen refers in more detail to the Mama brain and explains why pregnant mothers have legitimate apologies because they are forgetful, find it difficult to concentrate and are hyper-oriented on their babies, unlike other cognitive skills.

I once met a doctor who told me a story about when she was a new mother. She left her baby at home with a reliable caregiver and briefly reduced her time in the clinic. After the last patient was seen, this new mother, a doctor, ran home and parked her car on a slight slope outside her house. She rushed into the house to check her baby, wanted to find out how the first day went without the full presence of the mother. The baby was fine, but the car dangled over an edge. She forgot to park the car well and to apply a handbrake.

Dealing with these physiological changes in brain functions can be more stressful if mothers do not know that it is normal is it to be part of the way of nature to rest the mother to shift her focus to the needs of the baby and to become more intentional in her baby (the so-called emotional intelligence of responding to the baby).

As is the case with so many other mental challenges, there are always degrees of change. Postpartum depression occurs in 20 percent of mothers and, if the mood changes and stress becomes increasingly extreme, the diagnosis of mama brains must shift to depression.

Researchers hope that functional brain image formation can facilitate an improved concept, not only from the neuroplasticity of the brain during pregnancy and the post-partum period, but also of postpartum depression. Early detection of postpartum depression remains elusive, and earlier detection means earlier treatment and therefore a better quality of life for both the mother and her baby.

Dr. Nieman is the founder of Center 70 Pediatrics. He has written monthly columns for the Herald since 1999.

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