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Signs of “baby brain”: what is the condition of which, according to Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton would be a victim

In his memoir ShootPrince Harry paints Kate Middleton as a «victim of baby brains». It was actually his wife Meghan Markle to define it in this way during an unpleasant quarrel between sister-in-laws-rivals, referring to the frequent forgetfulness of the Princess of Wales.

In fact, the term ‘baby brain’ is used in relation to distracting events
that occur frequently during pregnancy. In fact, four out of five women
manifest a deficit of memory and cognitive abilities, during pregnancy and in
postpartum period, feeling more distracted and “forgetful”.

A phenomenon that appears quite common, but whose slight effects are difficult to measure. Several studies show that it is not, however, a disorder, but a a real reorganization that takes place at the brain level in new mothers, so that they can concentrate their resources on activities useful for welcoming and protecting the unborn child.\

How the brain changes during pregnancy and why

«Pregnancy is a period of consistent physiological and physical changes, during which the
blood volume, hormone levels, nutrient absorption and other functions
they grow significantly in women», explains the midwife Alessandra Bellasiomidwife and health educator of Unimamma.it.

«Several studies have shown that this condition produces remarkable changes in the structure of the human brain, especially in the primiparous (women in their first pregnancy, ed), with effects that last for at least two years or longer in women who are breastfeeding for longer periods. In particular, gray matter is reduced in areas responsible for processing and responding to social cues. This could mean that new mothers’ brains change to become more efficient in the areas that allow them to respond to the child’s needs and to identify any threats related to the external environment» clarifies the expert.

“The reason for these structural changes could be explained by the need to promote behavioral changes in the mother to help her welcome and protect the child,” adds Bellasio. «The fact that the woman’s brain changes temporarily from a neurological point of view, to accommodate and support pregnancy and motherhood, does not correspond to an impairment of her skills. On the contrary: today we know that nature intervenes to facilitate reproduction. So I think that it is not appropriate to consider the baby brain as a suffering or a disorder but as a modality through which the human body adapts to the creation of a new life».

More stories from Vanity Fair that may interest you:

Postpartum complications: what they are and how to deal with the problems caused by the birth of a child

Adele: «I suffered from postpartum depression»

7 ideal supplements during breastfeeding

Postpartum depression: those symptoms that are difficult to recognize


Source: Vanity Fair

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