2026
Pregnancy and memory lapses
Category (s):
Pregnancy
Welcome
From the beginning of pregnancy, it is common to have more trouble concentrating and to forget things more easily. This drop in the ability to remember can feel unsettling, but it is very widespread.
Many pregnant women and new mothers experience, each in her own way, memory-related annoyances: frequent, recurring forgetfulness, memory blanks, lack of concentration, distraction, a more selective memory, difficulty planning and making decisions. It does not stop you from functioning day to day, but it sometimes calls for adjustments in order to cope better.
The literature uses several names for this state, most of them English: Mommy Brain, Baby Brain and Momnesia. Even though not all the causes of the phenomenon are known, it remains temporary.
Research findings on the subject differ, but the vast majority agree on one point: something happens, during pregnancy, in the brains of mothers-to-be. To what extent do certain parts of the brain feel the effects of the changes of pregnancy? The answers still have to be proven, for lack of enough data to establish it beyond any doubt.
Memory is a complex process that results from the constant work of neurons, which respond to the activation of very specific electrical circuits, based on stimuli from the environment. It adjusts at all times according to the messages it receives. Since it is the most fragile tool among our cognitive abilities, it is often the first to be affected: where did I put my keys? what is that person's name? I am at a loss for words!
Having memory lapses during pregnancy is considered normal and temporary by the scientific community. The phenomenon is more marked in the first trimester, then levels off, before being noticed again towards the last months of pregnancy. This could be linked to the fact that women are often more tired at those times and sleep less well, which heightens the symptoms.
Memory is generally seen to recover three to six months after the birth in the vast majority of new mothers.
Several neuroscientists in different countries have studied the question. They explain memory lapses partly by the fact that the brain reacts to the significant hormonal changes imposed by pregnancy. Pregnancy upends not only the body, but also biology, the mind and the emotional dimension.
Some studies suggest that the right side of the brain — linked to emotion, space and cognition — takes the lead over the left side, which is more tied to language, logic and reasoning. This would explain why a pregnant woman can feel more sensitive, even hypersensitive, compared with her usual state. Cognitive difficulties can also appear, such as a reduced ability to remember and greater difficulty finding her bearings in space.
More recently, in 2017, American authors explained this occasional, temporary phenomenon by the fact that the grey matter in certain parts of the brain, such as the area involved in memory, decreases by 4 to 8% during pregnancy, with imaging to back it up. The impact of the major hormonal changes would not be unrelated to this change. Here again, everything is thought to return to normal on its own after the birth, as hormones settle back.
Usually, when we go through occasional stress or emotion, the extra adrenaline released can momentarily sharpen memory to meet a specific need. However, when the demand is too great and the brain's retention threshold is exceeded, the effect can be the opposite. A pregnant woman then finds herself more focused on the essentials and on the present moment, for herself and her baby. The drop in the ability to remember could stem from a primitive instinct that naturally sorts information and favours a focus on her own needs and on those of the child to come.
As with many other symptoms tied to the changes of pregnancy, you do the best you can with what you have. Healthy lifestyle habits are beneficial and help maintain your faculties: eating well, moving, getting fresh air, resting, taking time for yourself and cutting down as much as possible on sources of stress.
Patience and being kind to yourself also help you get through this period, which remains temporary.
The prenato.ca website and the comprehensive information it contains are intended as practical tools for expectant and new parents, as well as for women throughout the various stages of their lives. This information is not intended to replace the skills, knowledge, or experience of qualified healthcare professionals who are familiar with the specific facts, circumstances, and symptoms of each individual. Consequently, Prenato and its staff cannot be held liable for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information provided on this site. It is the user's responsibility to consult a physician or a qualified healthcare professional appropriate to their specific needs for any personal health concerns.
Immerse yourself in the adventure of your pregnancy and follow your baby's journey through our personalized emails. Every two weeks, receive updates that are unique and tailored to your pregnancy, allowing you to track your little one's growth and development stages. Take advantage of valuable advice and information to accompany each magical moment of this adventure!
Prenato needs the contact information you provide to us in order to contact you about our products and services. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. See our Privacy Policy to learn more about how we unsubscribe, as well as our privacy policies and our commitment to protection and privacy.
From motherhood to menopause, Prenato accompanies each stage of your life with kindness, expertise and innovation.
