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Brain Shrinkage During Pregnancy
A 1997 British study
conducted by researchers at the Royal Postgraduate Medical
School found that a woman's brain shrinks during pregnancy.
The changes recorded by the scientists
reflected differences in the volume of women's brain
cells, rather than in the number of cells present, perhaps
explaining why some woman experience bouts of forgetfulness
and loss of concentration while pregnant. There are
many theories about the reasons for this phenomenon,
but it appears that the true explanation has been overlooked...
As any pregnant woman will tell you,
brain shrinkage is necessary to ensure that your sanity
remains intact.
Reduced brainpower first becomes a blessing
when your doctor tells you that pregnancy is not an
illness and that there is absolutely no reason why it
should prevent you from living your life as usual. Luckily,
with your shorter concentration span, you fail to remember
that morning sickness has been preventing you from eating
breakfast, lunch and dinner for the last two months.
Or, that overwhelming fatigue has you asleep at the
wheel of your car on your way to and from the office.
And of course there is always that need you have to
visit the restroom every 15 minutes so you can't possibly
get through your emails before lunch!
All these "blessings" are
almost enough to drive a person to "drink",
but alas, the fact is you cannot indulge during pregnancy
so you must forget this thought for at least the next
nine months!
A smaller brain really comes in handy
when a pregnant woman converses with those around her
- after all, how big does your brain need to be to answer
the same endless stream of questions for nine months?
- Have you had any morning sickness?
(Substitute a variety of ailments here.)
- Do you want a boy or a girl?
- Have you picked any names yet?
- Is it kicking yet?
- How much longer to go?
- Have you had any cravings?
...you get the idea!
Comments from older, more experienced
mothers in your family circle must also be taken with
a "pinch" less brain power. These are typical...
- "In our day we all just had to
get on with it. None of this new medical stuff for us."
- "In our day there was none of
this being told in advance if it's a boy or a girl.
You just took what you were given."
- "In our day men weren't at the
birth. What do you want him there for? It's very messy
you know."...No, you did not know. Your newly shrunken
brain has managed conveniently to block out all thought
of the birth!
Shrinking brain cells also work well
as a defense mechanism against strange people - you
know the one's - those who are magnetically drawn to
your swollen tummy because apparently, it has now become
public property. Like a 'WET PAINT ' sign, everyone
has just got to check it out for themselves.
The pregnant woman's shrinking brain
is also a great defense against the "retailers"
clever sales tactics. Fortunately with only half of
a brain functioning you fail to understand the necessity
of purchasing all the merchandise which you are told
will be essential to your baby's well being. A baby,
it seems, cannot survive without a cradle, a capsule
and a cot. The cot is not complete without the lambs'
wool under blanket, Disney bed linen, a mosquito net,
and hanging mobiles painted with faces in strong primary
colors, a snuggler, at least 20 soft toys and a Baby
Mozart CD.
And of course you must have a baby monitor
to allow you to stay primed for action when baby is
not sleeping, in which case baby can be transferred
to a stroller, a jogging stroller, a bassinet, a bouncer,
or perhaps a portable cot, change table or 'safety'
car seat!!
If you do not feel you've covered all
your baby's bases, do not worry. Just turn on the television
and for sure an advertisement will appear for something
that you haven't bought yet, but desperately need.
Scientists tell us that fortunately,
the brain does return to its normal size at around six
months after your baby's birth. You could make a note
of this date in your diary but no one thought to buy
you one this year. Only people with real jobs need diaries.
Researchers are not certain why the
brain fires on all cylinders again at this specific
point in time, but any new mum could provide the answer
to that question: You need all your wits about you by
then to wangle a few precious hours to yourself.
1howto.com
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