Wednesday, 3 March 2010

'Baby brain' is a myth - women's intelligence increases during motherhood, claims study


The popular belief that pregnancy addles women's brains is a myth, a comprehensive study suggests.


Researchers who tracked 2,500 women over ten years found no difference between their brainpower before and during their pregnancies. In fact, the scientists believe, pregnancy and motherhood could actually improve women's mental abilities - and the improvement may be permanent.


Research carried out last year by Dr Craig Kinsley, of Richmond University in Virginia, suggests that giving birth supercharges brainpower to equip women for the challenge of rearing their child.


He believes having a baby produces a surge of memory and learning ability that makes women more vigilant and alert.


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