Redefining the mom brain narrative: Adaptive cognitive enhancements during the perinatal period

Abstract

“Mom brain” is a commonly reported phenomenon in pregnant and postpartum women characterized by brain fog, forgetfulness, distractibility, and other cognitive disruptions. However, research on objective cognitive functioning in pregnant and postpartum women is inconclusive and does not necessarily align with mothers’ subjective experiences with mom brain. This review discusses recent developments in the perinatal cognitive neuroscience literature that support a revised narrative in which “mom brain” is conceptualized as a period of functionally adaptive cognitive enhancements. Changing the narrative can shift societal expectations for mothers, thereby reducing social pressure and negative self-evaluation to ultimately enhance mothers’ experiences across the perinatal period.