Many women worry that they might become absent-minded and forgetful during their pregnancy. Some women even report having short term memory loss, from misplacing keys to forgetting appointments, but this is due to lack of sleep and trying to learn a lot about their pregnancy in a short period of time. It is not permanent.
Actually, just the opposite is true—pregnancy can enhance your learning and brain power. That’s right, pregnancy can make you smarter.
A study conducted at the University of Richmond and Randolph-Macon College in Virginia showed that significant increases in mental acuity and memory occur during pregnancy in rats, mice and humans. The human subjects even showed increased visual acuity and improved sense of smell.
The neuroscientists involved in the study found that the hormones released throughout pregnancy, particularly oxytocin, contributed directly to the increase in brain function.
And as the pregnancy continues on to parenthood, the improved cognition continues as women become increasingly motivated, less fearful and better at prioritizing.
While being pregnant might change your state of mind for the better, don’t’ forget the basics of optimal brain function: sleep, healthy eating and regular exercise. If you take care of yourself, preparing to take care of a baby can leave both your body and mind feeling wonderful.
Popular Brain Tips 
During pregnancy, many things happen to the body—size and shape change, more frequent urination, hormone fluctuations and tiredness. But did you know that there are also a lot of changes taking place in your brain?
