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Brain Changes the Occur During Pregnancy

February 11, 2017

Many expecting and new moms use the term “pregnancy brain” to explain their little bouts of forgetfulness. It turns out they may be describing a very real but temporary condition. A recent study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that pregnancy creates brain alterations that can last for up to two years.1

The team of scientists who worked on the study compared brain scans of women before they conceived and after they gave birth for the first time. Their findings revealed that after pregnancy, these women experienced a loss of gray matter in the areas of the brain that process social cognition. Gray matter is the darker tissue of the brain, consisting of nerve cells, synapses and capillaries. Our perceptions of the world and relationships are shaped by social cognition.

The women who participated in the study received repeated brain scans after delivering their babies. The research team found that the brain changes remained for up to two years post- pregnancy. In addition, the women who lost more gray matter appeared to have stronger emotional attachments to their babies.

While there was a decline in gray matter postpartum, some scientists speculate that brain changes can enhance a woman’s maternal instincts.2 The team noted that additional research is needed to further assess the social cognition of women to see whether the brain changes have any effect on mothering.

Support Brain Health Throughout Pregnancy

It’s important to note that the study did not identify at what point during pregnancy that changes occurred to the brains studied or the exact cause of those changes. Loss of gray matter during pregnancy may be unavoidable. But supporting brain health is important before, during and after pregnancy.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a major structural fat in the human brain and eyes, and plays important roles in their functioning.3 Researchers are currently looking at DHA’s impact on diseases of the brain and nervous system, including cognitive decline.

The Prenate® Vitamin Family includes several prenatal vitamins with DHA. Each offers the highest levels of clinically-proven DHA omega-3s available in a prescription prenatal vitamin.4-16 Each of the following Prenate® products is taken once daily and contains DHA:

Designed for the needs of both moms and babies, Prenate® Vitamin Family helps fill nutritional gaps. Talk to your doctor to see which prenatal vitamin with DHA is right for you.

Connect with Prenate®

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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