Okay, but have you ever been holding your phone and asking yourself where your phone is at the same time?? Or heard someone who is pregnant say, “I’m sorry, ever since I’ve been pregnant, I can’t focus on most things!” Maybe you’re actually the one experiencing this! If you’ve had babies, you know exactly what we’re talking about! You might feel like your once-sharp mind has been replaced by a foggy, unreliable version of yourself. The frustration can be overwhelming, especially when well-meaning friends, family members, or even healthcare providers dismiss your concerns with phrases like “it’s just hormones” or “all pregnant women go through this.”
But here’s the truth that many don’t want to acknowledge: pregnancy brain is absolutely real, and you’re not imagining it. It actually has a MAJOR purpose when creating a baby! Let’s go through the science and see how you can best be supported during the most exciting and transformative time.
According to a recent study, 82% of pregnant women reported experiencing some form of cognitive changes during pregnancy. These aren’t minor inconveniences—they’re measurable, documented changes in brain structure and function that can significantly impact daily life, work performance, and overall well-being.
What if we told you that pregnancy brain isn’t just something you have to endure? What if these cognitive changes are actually your nervous system’s way of signaling that it needs support during one of the most neurologically demanding experiences of your life? And most importantly, what if there were natural ways to optimize your brain function during pregnancy that could benefit both you and your developing baby?
What is Pregnancy Brain?
Pregnancy brain, also known as “momnesia,” is a legitimate neurological phenomenon characterized by measurable changes in brain structure, function, and cognitive performance during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These changes are not simply “all in your head”; they can be observed through advanced brain imaging and neurological testing, demonstrating that what you’re experiencing has a real biological basis.
The most commonly reported signs of pregnancy brain include:
- Memory lapses and forgetfulness (forgetting appointments, names, or daily tasks)
- Difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus for extended periods
- Word-finding difficulties or feeling like words are “on the tip of your tongue”
- Mental fog or feeling like you’re thinking through a cloud
- Challenges with multitasking or executive function
- Increased absent-mindedness in daily activities
- Difficulty retaining new information or learning new skills
Research has shown that these cognitive changes aren’t just subjective experiences—they correspond to actual structural and functional alterations in the brain. Studies using MRI technology have documented decreases in gray matter volume in specific brain regions, changes in neural connectivity patterns, and alterations in how different brain networks communicate with each other.
What makes pregnancy brain particularly significant from a neurological perspective is that these changes reflect your nervous system’s remarkable ability to adapt and reorganize itself. Rather than viewing these signs as a problem, we can understand them as signals that your nervous system is undergoing a profound transformation… One that, with proper support, can be optimized for both your well-being and your baby’s healthy development.
The Science Behind Pregnancy Brain
The scientific evidence supporting pregnancy brain is both robust and fascinating. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience followed women through pregnancy and found significant reductions in gray matter volume that persisted for at least two years postpartum. These changes weren’t random; they occurred specifically in brain regions associated with social cognition, suggesting that the brain is literally rewiring itself to enhance maternal bonding and caregiving abilities.
Additional research has revealed that pregnancy triggers changes in the brain’s functional network, the neural circuit that’s active when our minds are at rest. Studies using functional MRI scans have also documented changes in the hippocampus (crucial for memory formation) and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for executive function and decision-making), providing clear biological explanations for the cognitive signs women experience.
However, here’s where conventional medicine often falls short. Most healthcare providers, when presented with pregnancy brain concerns, offer variations of the same response: “It’s just hormones, it’s temporary, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” OR it may be the complete opposite, and they start talking about stimulants and other medications that could help instead of realizing and acknowledging that this is an innate and beautiful transition used to protect your baby. So, yes, while hormonal fluctuations certainly play a role and you may be craving the tiniest bit of caffeine, most providers’ explanations are incomplete and often leave us women feeling dismissed and unsupported.
What’s particularly concerning is the individual variation in pregnancy brain severity. While many pregnant women experience some cognitive changes, the intensity and duration of signs can vary dramatically from one woman to another. Some women report minor forgetfulness, while others struggle with significant impairment that affects their work performance, relationships, and daily functioning. This variation suggests that underlying nervous system health and resilience may play a crucial role in how well a woman adapts to the neurological demands of pregnancy.
A big missing link in conventional approaches is the failure to address the nervous system’s role in these cognitive changes. Rather than simply accepting pregnancy brain as an inevitable consequence of hormonal shifts, we can take a proactive approach to support and optimize nervous system function during this critical period of neurological transformation.
Understanding Pregnancy Brain Through a Nervous System Lens
While hormonal changes during pregnancy are undeniable, the complete picture of pregnancy brain requires us to look deeper into how these hormonal shifts affect the most crucial system in your body… your nervous system. The dramatic 30 to 70-fold surges in estrogen and progesterone don’t just influence mood and physical changes; they fundamentally alter how your brain processes information, responds to stress, and regulates essential functions like sleep, digestion, and emotional balance.
To understand this connection, we need to explore the Autonomic Nervous System, which controls all the involuntary functions that keep you alive and thriving. This system has two main branches: the Sympathetic Nervous System (your “gas pedal”), responsible for the fight-or-flight response, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (your “brake pedal”) that promotes rest, digestion, and healing. During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can create an imbalance between these two systems, leading to a condition called dysautonomia.
When dysautonomia occurs during pregnancy, you might find yourself stuck in sympathetic dominance—essentially living with your “gas pedal” pressed down while your “brake pedal” becomes less responsive. This neurological imbalance creates signs that many pregnant women experience:
- Difficulty concentrating due to heightened stress response
- Memory problems as the brain prioritizes immediate survival over information storage
- Sleep disruption affecting the brain’s ability to consolidate memories and clear metabolic waste
- Digestive issues that impact nutrient absorption needed for optimal brain function
- Increased anxiety and emotional reactivity affecting decision-making abilities
The vagus nerve, often called the “wandering nerve,” plays a particularly crucial role in pregnancy brain. This longest cranial nerve, connects your brain to vital organs throughout your body and serves as the primary pathway for Parasympathetic Nervous System function. During pregnancy, the vagus nerve adapts to regulate inflammation via the cholinergic pathway, affecting organ function and hormone production related to metabolism.
However, when this nerve becomes dysfunctional due to stress, trauma, or other factors, it can contribute to the cognitive signs we associate with pregnancy brain.
Understanding pregnancy brain through this neurological lens reveals why simply waiting for hormones to “balance out” isn’t always sufficient. When the nervous system is dysregulated, even optimal hormone levels may not restore full cognitive function. This is why addressing the root cause, nervous system dysregulation, can be far more effective than simply managing the signs or accepting cognitive impairment as inevitable.
The Perfect Storm: Why Some Women Experience More Severe Pregnancy Brain
At PX Docs, we often refer to the combination of factors that can intensify pregnancy brain as “The Perfect Storm.” This concept describes how a series of stressors and challenges, often beginning well before conception, can accumulate and interact to overwhelm your nervous system’s ability to adapt to the neurological demands of pregnancy.
Many women enter pregnancy with their nervous systems already compromised by modern life stressors. Preconception factors that can reduce nervous system resilience include:
- Inability to adapt to chronic work stress or high-pressure lifestyle
- Previous physical trauma or injuries affecting the neurospinal system
- Poor sleep patterns and inadequate recovery time
- Nutritional deficiencies that impact brain and nervous system regulation
- Exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals
- History of emotional trauma or prolonged anxiety
During pregnancy, additional stressors compound these existing challenges. The modern approach to pregnancy often creates more anxiety than support, with frequent medical appointments, multiple screening tests, and a culture of fear around potential complications.
Physical changes like sleep disruption from growing belly size, hormonal fluctuations, and increased metabolic demands place additional stress on an already taxed nervous system.
When these factors combine, they create an effect that can significantly worsen pregnancy brain signs. Understanding this “Perfect Storm” is crucial because it reveals that pregnancy brain severity isn’t predetermined by genetics or inevitable due to hormones.
Instead, it reflects the cumulative impact of stressors on your nervous system, and this means there are opportunities for intervention and improvement through targeted support that addresses the root cause of nervous system dysfunction.
Natural Solutions for Your Brain During Pregnancy
The encouraging news is that pregnancy brain doesn’t have to be something looked down on. Your body is smart, and pregnancy brain is helping protect and grow your beautiful baby! It’s something that, instead of working on “getting rid of”, your nervous system needs to be supported! When we address the underlying nervous system dysfunction contributing to worse cognitive signs, many women experience significant improvements in mental clarity, focus, and overall well-being during pregnancy. Yes, pregnancy brain is real, but it shouldn’t be debilitating and too “foggy.”
At PX Docs, our approach begins with a comprehensive assessment using advanced INSiGHT Scans. These non-invasive scans measure the function of your Autonomic Nervous System, helping us identify areas where stress and dysfunction may be contributing to your even worse pregnancy brain symptoms. By pinpointing specific patterns of nervous system imbalance, we can create a personalized care plan that supports optimal neurological function during this critical time.
Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care offers adjustments designed to improve nervous system communication and restore balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
These specialized techniques help stimulate the vagus nerve and promote the “rest, digest, and regulate” functions that are essential for cognitive clarity and emotional stability. Beyond chiropractic adjustments, supporting your nervous system during pregnancy involves several complementary strategies:
- Stress management techniques that specifically target nervous system regulation, such as deep breathing exercises and gentle movement
- Sleep optimization through proper positioning, room environment, and bedtime routines that support restorative rest
- Nutritional support focusing on brain-healthy nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins
- Mindful movement that promotes blood flow to the brain and supports overall nervous system health
What makes this approach particularly powerful is its dual benefit. When we optimize maternal nervous system function, we’re not just improving your cognitive performance and quality of life… we’re also creating the optimal environment for your baby’s neurological development.
Research shows that maternal stress and nervous system dysfunction can impact fetal brain development, while a well-regulated maternal nervous system supports healthy neural growth and optimal birth outcomes.
A Path Forward for You and Your Baby
Pregnancy brain is absolutely real, measurable, and, most importantly, able to be supported. What you’re experiencing isn’t a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or something you must simply accept as part of pregnancy. These cognitive changes reflect your nervous system’s remarkable attempt to adapt to the extraordinary demands of creating new life, and with proper support, this adaptation can be optimized rather than endured.
The key lies in understanding that pregnancy brain often signals underlying nervous system dysfunction that has been brewing long before conception. By addressing these root causes through Neurologically-Focused Care, you can not only improve your current cognitive function but also set the foundation for a healthier postpartum recovery and optimal development for your growing baby.
When you’re ready to take the next step, visit the PX Docs Directory to find a qualified practitioner near you who can assess your unique needs through INSiGHT scans and develop a personalized care plan.
Your brain isn’t broken… It’s adapting. Let’s help it adapt optimally, creating the best possible experience for both you and your baby during this transformative time.
