Redefining the mom brain narrative
Adaptive cognitive enhancements during the perinatal period
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4228210 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stefan Ettinger (0009-0003-0778-3765, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences, USA, corresponding author), Pamela A Geller (0009-0005-0111-1209, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences, USA) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 14 |
| Pages | 4542-4549 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13591053251329667 |
| PMID | 40163624 |
| OpenAlex | W4409023092 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 25 |
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
Cognition · Developmental psychology · Narrative · Narrative review · Perinatal period · Postpartum period · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Neonatal and fetal brain pathology · Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior · Psychology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |