Health & fitness

‘Pregnancy brain’ is real, experts say – as scans reveal exactly how having a baby changes you for 2 years after birth

Published

2 weeks ago

September 26, 2024

'Pregnancy brain' is real, experts say - as scans reveal exactly how having a baby changes you for 2 years after birth

IT SEEMS pregnancy brain really does exist – as scans shed light on exactly how much having a baby can change the brain.

Changes can linger for years after birth and only a few regions of the brain remain untouched, the first “map” of the process suggests.

Researchers conducted 26 scans of a woman's brain before during and after pregnancy — Researchers conducted 26 scans of a woman’s brain before during and after pregnancyCredit: Nature.com

The study found changes in grey-matter volume with each week of pregnancy - darker colours show brain regions most affected — The study found changes in grey-matter volume with each week of pregnancy – darker colours show brain regions most affectedCredit: Nature.com

Scientists took 26 MRI scans of a 38-year-old woman’s brain before conception, throughout her pregnancy and until two years after childbirth.

The findings show that some parts of the human brain may shrink in size during pregnancy, but become better connected.

A few regions of the brain remain untouched by the transition to motherhood, the study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests.

Some of the changes may be permanent, as the brain essentially reorganises itself during pregnancy, experts suggested.

Researchers said the findings, based on brain scans from one mum, may represent one of the first comprehensive maps of changes in the organ before, during and after pregnancy.

“It’s the first detailed map of the human brain across gestation,” Emily Jacobs, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, told the BBC.

“We’ve never witnessed the brain in a process of metamorphosis like this.

“We are finally able to observe changes to the brain in real time.”

Laura Pritschet, from the University of California, and colleagues analysed the brain of scientist Elizabeth Chrastil who was planning an IVF pregnancy when the research was being discussed.

She now has a four-year-old son.

Researches conducted 26 MRI scans and blood tests three weeks before conception and up to two years after Dr Chrastil – also one of the study authors – gave birth.

She was not made aware of the findings until afterwards.

The resulting scans were compared to brain changes in eight people who were not pregnant.

Researchers observed that the volume of grey matter – tissue that controls movement, emotions and memory – in nearly 80 per cent of the regions of Dr Chrastil’s brain decreased by about 4 per cent, with only a small rebound after pregnancy.

But there were increases in white-matter integrity – a measure of the health and quality of connections between brain regions – in the first and second trimesters, which returned to normal levels soon after birth.

The changes are similar to those during puberty, the researchers said.

Both changes coincided with rising levels of the hormones estradiol and progesterone.

According to the study, some of the changes in the brain were still present two years postpartum, including some of the shrinking, while others returned to similar levels as pre-conception by around two months after the birth.

‘What’s normal during pregnancy and what isn’t’ boxout

Your body can undergo a number of changes while you’re pregnant and it’s very common to experience some of the following symptoms:

Constipation
Cramps in your muscles and feet
Back pain or headaches
Bleeding gums
Peeing a lot or experiencing incontinence
Skin and hair changes
Varicose veins

The NHS advised you call your midwife or GP immediately if you experience vaginal bleeding.

And though morning sickness is common, the NHS also urged that you contact your GP, midwife or 111 if you’re vomiting and:

Have very dark-coloured urine or have not had a pee in more than 8 hours
Are unable to keep food or fluids down for 24 hours
Feel severely weak, dizzy or faint when standing up
Have tummy (abdominal) pain
Have a high temperature
Vomit blood
Have lost weight

Increased vaginal discharge can also be common, but you should get help if it smells strange or unpleasant, if its green or yellow and if you feel itchy or sore around your vagina

Nearly 85 per cent of women become pregnant at least once, and 140 million women each year become pregnant.

The physical changes to the body during pregnancy are well documented, but much less is understood about how and why the brain changes.

Mums may talk about having “pregnancy brain” or “baby brain”, to describe feeling forgetful, absent-minded or having brain fog.

Previous studies have focused on brain scans before and soon after pregnancy, rather than throughout the process.

Dr Chrastil said: “From a sort of a subjective standpoint, I didn’t particularly feel any different during pregnancy.

“Some people talk about ‘mummy brain’, or things like that, and I didn’t really experience any of that.

“But obviously we know that there are these changes.”

She added that as a neuroscientist, it was “cool” to be able to contribute to science in this way

Emily Jacobs, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, said: “There is so much about the neurobiology of pregnancy that we don’t understand yet, and it’s not because women are too complicated. It’s not because pregnancy is some Gordian knot.

“It’s a by-product of the fact that the biomedical sciences has historically ignored women’s health.

“It’s 2024 and this is the first glimpse we have at this fascinating neurobiological transition.

“Our ignorance has consequences.

“Scientists don’t have the data we need to predict postpartum depression before it manifests, we don’t have the data we need to understand the effects of pre-eclampsia on later life brain health. We need better data.”

The researchers hope that further scans and study could help shed light on conditions like postnatal depression, pre-eclampsia, brain ageing and why pregnancy can reduce migraines.

Neuroanatomical changes observed over the course of a human pregnancy, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01741-0Credit: Nature.com

Source link

Womens Workouts

Day 27 – 30 MIN HIIT IT HARD Surprise Workout – Full Body, No Equipment, No Repeat

Published

21 mins ago

October 8, 2024

NewsAdmin

Day 27 - 30 MIN HIIT IT HARD Surprise Workout - Full Body, No Equipment, No Repeat

Today we will HIIT IT HARD with 30 mins of full-body, calorie-burning, no-repeat exercises! We’re all in this together! From Day 1 to 28, you have all been encouraging and motivating each other – we’re an unstoppable team who love to get SUPER SWEATY… who agrees with me??
Get on your mat, let’s do it!!

WORKOUT DETAILS

👉🏼 Duration: 30 MIN (Plus 5 mins of cool-down stretches)
👉🏼 Intensity: Super Sweaty 💧💧💧
👉🏼 No Equipment
👉🏼 50 Sec Work, 10 Sec Rest
👉🏼 No Repeat

Please remember that we are all different and that you can make this your OWN workout… take a longer break when you need to.

Music: https://www.epidemicsound.com

📷 GEAR I USE:
Camera: https://amzn.to/3aticKD
Lens: https://amzn.to/3cCiujR
Tripod: https://amzn.to/2zontX9
Microphone: https://amzn.to/34VaKXH

💪🏼 MY HOME TRAINING GUIDE: http://growingannanas.com

» Subscribe to my Channel for weekly workouts: http://bit.ly/2QLvpXn
» Instagram: http://bit.ly/2ZSdHFR
» Facebook: http://bit.ly/2SVkgpE
✉ Contact (business inquiries): anna@fyndafit.com

D I S C L A I M E R

If you are a newbie start with a simple and easy exercise before attempting all advanced exercises. Performing exercises out of your capability might strain your muscles and you may get injured.

This channel offers health, fitness and nutritional information. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. By performing any fitness exercises without supervision like with this video, you are performing them at your own risk. See a fitness professional to give you advice on your exercise form. Growingannanas will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of this video.

source

Womens Workouts

😱💥most beutiful momentwomen.s😱 floor routine#shorts #video #viral #olympics #world #champions

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2024

NewsAdmin

😱💥most beutiful momentwomen.s😱 floor routine#shorts #video #viral #olympics #world #champions
your question.
What is floor routine?
What are the rules of floor routine?
What is the duration of a floor routine?
What is the level 3 floor routine?
How can I make my floor routine better?
What are three basic floor activities?
What are the benefits of floor exercises
What is a good floor routine score?
How long is a women’s floor routine?
How long is a level 7 floor routine?
#champion# #trending #youtube
#woman
#beautiful
#sports #
#olympics
#champions
#championship
#world
#adventure
#athletics #youtubeshorts #trending #video

source

Womens Workouts

25 MIN FULL BODY WORKOUT || Energising Mat Pilates

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2024

NewsAdmin

25 MIN FULL BODY WORKOUT || Energising Mat Pilates

This Full Body Pilates Workout is perfect for when you are short on time and will leave you feeling strong and energised! 😊

🌸 Wearing Gymshark http://gym.sh/Shop-Nicole

🤍 INSTAGRAM: @movewithnicole
🤍 EMAIL: movewithnicole.yt@gmail.com

🎥 Videography by Bodie Rex
♫ Music from https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/n9a93q/

—
DISCLAIMER:
Please consult your doctor or health care professional before starting this workout. If you experience pain or discomfort at any time during this workout, you should stop immediately. By performing these exercises, you do so at your own risk. By using this video, you understand and agree that Move With Nicole Pty Ltd will not be held responsible or liable for any injury or loss you may suffer as a result of this workout video.

source

Womens Workouts

Tried Hulahoop for the first time🥰 #hulahoop #shorts #workout #coreworkout

Published

3 hours ago

October 8, 2024

NewsAdmin

Tried Hulahoop for the first time🥰 #hulahoop #shorts #workout #coreworkout

source

Womens Workouts

30 Minute Full Body Beginner Dumbbell Workout [With Modifications]

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2024

NewsAdmin

30 Minute Full Body Beginner Dumbbell Workout [With Modifications]

Tap in with us for a 30 minute dumbbell strength workout—especially if you’re a beginner who needs guidance with weight training! Throughout this workout we will show you what muscles are working, how to do each exercise, and give you audio cues to make sure your form is correct. We designed this workout to include intermediate level exercises so that you have a level to work up to. However, if you struggle with certain exercises, we’ve included modifications for those intermediate exercises. Even if you’re a bit more advanced, you can always come back to this workout for a form check and guidance.

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments and we well get back to you as soon as we can!

Check out our other dumbbell workouts:
45 Minute Full Body Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/qs9wyBQrNYA
30 Minute Full Body Dumbbell AMRAP: https://youtu.be/rEEZB68GTs0
30 Minute Full Body Dumbbell Workout https://youtu.be/4sUGg9mcMGU
20 Minute Full Body Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/mf1xQS_Zlkc
20 Minute Light Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/PFGeohvbNq8
15 Minute Full Body Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/xqVBoyKXbsA
10 Minute Light Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/mnzaEyTm-MA

The Home Equipment We Use:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/juicetoya…

Juice: @JuicetonTx

Toya: @ToyaCherrelle

Personal Training Business Page: @OneBodyLA

#JuiceandToya #dumbbellworkout

source