How Does Motherhood Impact Cognition?
Mother’s Day is a time to reflect on and appreciate the sacrifices our moms have made for us. You hear a lot about the societal impacts of motherhood. But what about how motherhood changes your cognition and mental health? We will touch on these changes and discuss how to prioritize your mental health once you become a mother.
Cognitive Effects of Pregnancy
The brain undergoes changes during pregnancy that can affect cognition. “Pregnancy brain” is a term that is used to describe the physiological and cognitive changes that women experience while pregnant. For example, physical changes involve hormonal fluctuations and a reduction in grey matter in the brain, while cognitive functions, memory, and executive skills are adversely impacted. After the baby is born, however, symptoms of pregnancy brain should taper off with time.
Short-term Post-Partum Effects
Post-Partum Depression
Post-Partum Depression (PPD) is a psychological mood disorder that women can experience within one year after childbirth, and produces persistent sadness, altered sleep, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and difficulty bonding with the baby. It is not terribly uncommon, with around 1 in 8 women experiencing symptoms after giving birth. Cognitively, PPD can cause the same symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder, including having a harder time making decisions, difficulty concentrating, and processing thoughts.
Lack of Sleep
New mothers also face external factors that impair their cognition, with a main one being lack of sleep. Parents often cannot get enough rest to nourish their brains because newborns need to be cared for multiple times a night. This can cause cognitive impairments such as forgetfulness, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating. Lack of sleep is also related to Post-Partum Depression, with insomnia being linked to developing and worsening PPD symptoms. Lack of sleep not only affects mothers, but also fathers, partners, and other caregivers.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Having a newborn is often more laborious than having a full-time job! After caring for their baby, mothers may also have to do chores around the house, maintain relationships, manage finances, care for other children, and work other jobs. These life factors can create a heavy mental load, making it more difficult to concentrate and prioritize.
Long-term Effects of Motherhood
Don’t get too worried, though! Humans are resilient, and just like taking on any role changes you over time, so does motherhood. Studies show that, since motherhood is a role that requires navigating environmental complexity and introduces novelty, it increases cognitive reserve, making our brains more resilient to damage and cognitive decline by drawing on pre-existing cognitive processes. Therefore, the same cognitive load that was a struggle in early motherhood can, over time, benefit mothers by making them more resilient and enriched.
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning involves cognitive processes that regulate behavior and thoughts to achieve goals. Its three main components are: working memory, which temporarily holds and manipulates information; inhibitory control, the ability to resist impulsive responses and to stay focused; and cognitive flexibility, the capacity to switch tasks or thoughts and adapt to new situations. For mothers, studies show that reliance on executive functioning can strengthen cognition. More recent studies have shown that mothers demonstrate superior executive functioning skills and attention three years after giving birth.
How to Help Yourself During Tough Times
As amazing as parenthood can be, it can also be rocky, unpredictable, and overwhelming. Having reliable coping strategies can help you get through a difficult time.
- Sleep when you can: Especially with a newborn, every second of sleep is precious. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps and go to bed early as much as you can throughout the week. If possible, share nighttime responsibilities with your partner.
- Carve out alone time: This may seem laughable to a new mother, but self-care is so important. Prioritizing your health also prioritizes your child’s, so even taking a few moments to breathe and relax your mind is beneficial. If possible, doing activities you enjoy, such as hobbies, physical activity, or spending time with friends, can help reduce stress and prevent burnout.
- Rely on others: Do not feel guilty for asking others for help. The mental and physical load of being a mother can be quite heavy. Allowing others to bear the weight helps you to show up more for yourself and your family.
- Let go of expectations: There is not and will never be a perfect parent. Mistakes are a part of life, and dwelling on them is harmful to your mental health. Focusing on your child’s happiness and well-being is most important and makes motherhood more enjoyable and rewarding.
- Seeking professional help: There may be times when the challenges of motherhood may become too overwhelming. Seeking help from a health and mental healthcare provider will allow you to learn tools to manage stress, depression, anxiety, and other trials that mothers face.
Resources to Find Support
US National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-943-5746
Postpartum Support International
National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, and Alcohol Issues
Conclusion
Motherhood causes significant changes in both the mind and body, influencing cognition and mental health in ways that can be both tough and empowering. The temporary effects of “pregnancy brain,” postpartum depression, and the exhaustion from caring for a newborn can make the early days of motherhood overwhelming. Yet, these difficulties are often temporary. With time, the demands of motherhood can actually strengthen cognitive skills, boost resilience, and improve executive functioning. By prioritizing rest, seeking support, and practicing self-care, mothers can better manage these transitions and safeguard their mental health.
