How The Brain Changes During Pregnancy: The Science Behind “Mommy Brain”

Pregnancy / August 18, 2025

The brain also reshapes in a powerful way along with your body during pregnancy. According to the research during the time of pregnancy and the years that follow, major structural and functional shifts happen with the brain. Gray matter or some parts of the brain that leads to thinking and helps in dealing with emotions may become smaller, though the connections between different brain areas get stronger and communication improves between brain regions and it works in a better way, that helps in preparing for the new responsibility of a mother. Emotional awareness, and intuitions are believed to sharpen that help mothers to connect with their babies.

These changes in the brain help in developing stronger caregiver instincts and also help mothers in having a better control over their emotions and be more empathetic. This shows that these changes are not just reacting to hormones but is also helping women to get ready to be a mother. So, when a woman is pregnant she sees the changes in their memory, has a different mood, or feelings, and it is because their brain is helping them to be prepared to care and protect their baby.

What is Pregnancy Brain?

“Mommy Brain” is what we often refer to as pregnancy brain, which often refers to mental fog, lack of focus when focusing during and after the time of their pregnancy or absent mindedness. Women often find themselves lots, forgetting small things, or struggles to concentrate and that is completely okay. According to the research this is believed to be normal due to the hormonal changes that affect the brain’s way of processing information. There is a surge in hormones like estrogen and progesterone during the time of pregnancy. It leads to disruption in sleep, mood and memory. There is an add on of stress, sleepless nights, low energy and fatigue and this makes it easy to know the reason behind your mind being hazy and a little cloudy.

Mothers need to work on prioritising their emotional connection, emotional health, and taking care of each and every important detail. Pregnant ladies might feel frustrated due to these new changes, but they are a natural part of becoming a mother. With time there is a balance in hormones and the pattern of sleep improves. The sharpness of the attention with time returns back. Pregnancy brain is a mind’s way of rewriting itself to prepare you for the job of nurturing a new life.

Why Does Pregnancy Brain Happen?

Their single cause for pregnancy is an occurrence of several overlapping changes in the body and mind. Here is what research tells:

Changes in hormones: Estrogen level can mostly rise up to 100 times and level of progesterone more than tenfold during the time of pregnancy. Though hormones are important to support pregnancy but it also somewhere affects brain function. Memory related areas that include the hippocampus get influenced by estrogen, while drowsiness and slow reactions is due progesterone, leading to that familiar brain fog.
Shift in structural Brain: According to research during the time of pregnancy gray matter slightly gets reduced. It is not harmful and is the brain's way of sharpening the focus on the emotional connections. On the other hand, the white matter of the brain becomes strong that helps in improvement of communication between Brian region
Sleep deprived: Due to fluctuation in hormones, frequently using the washroom, and physical discomfort can make you feel sleep deprived. Lacking in quality of sleep can affect your attention span, memory and your focus level.
Stress and cognitive load: The brain is often multitasking in between the doctor’s appointments, baby planning and the emotional imbalances. Even remembering a small detail and staying organised can be difficult due to such mental load.

These factors all together explain why the pregnancy brain feels real, though it is a temporary and normal part of this phase.

Tips for Dealing with Pregnancy Brain

Pregnancy brain can sometimes take a bad toll and can be frustrating, but there are some simple tips to handle it:

It is important to take proper rest, prioritise your sleep and take short naps whenever possible to keep your mind fresh.
To stay organised use reminder setting techniques like write notes, set alarms, and use planners.
It is important to keep yourself hydrated and eat well. Consume food that is rich in protein, DHA, and iron that supports your brain health.
It is important to perform light exercise like yoga, walking or meditation to boost your focus and for proper blood flow.
It is important to do breathing exercise as it helps in reducing stress and sharpens your memory.
Do not run after perfection. Be kind to yourself.

Once hormones settle down, the pregnancy brain also normalises and your clarity gradually returns.