An estimated 80% of moms experience “mom brain,” the forgetfulness and concentration difficulties that come with pregnancy and motherhood. Ask a mom to describe the condition and she might mention anything from having a hard time finding words and engaging in conversation to lapses in judgment, missed appointments and emotional breakdowns. Science hasn’t quite caught up with how impactful mom brain can be on a woman’s work-life balance … yet. To understand what we know and what we’re still learning about mom brain, we talk to a clinical psychologist who is also a mom to two young girls. 

 Expert: Dr. Jessica Rohr, Clinical Psychologist, Director of Women’s Mental Health 

Interviewer: Melissa Schafer  

Notable topics covered: 

• Mom brain isn’t just a colloquialism: How the brain changes during pregnancy 
• Why objective research findings don’t always match the subjective experiences of moms 
• Why mom brain research is in its infancy: A deep dive into the historical exclusion of women in medical studies 
• Whether “dad brain” also exists 
• Neuroplasticity: One of the benefits that comes with the cognitive changes in motherhood 
• Does mom brain ever go away? 
• Navigating the shift from seeking perfection to simply being a good person and mother 
• What spouses, loved ones and friends can do to support a new mother 
• How to reframe conversations like, “I want you to want to do the dishes.” 
• Tips, tools and workarounds for overcoming the challenges of mom brain 

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