THE MYTH OF ‘BABY BRAIN’ BUSTED
Among the allegations of bullying and degradation made against senior managers of Australia’s air traffic controllers, there’s one that’s particularly galling for working women.
One manager, Peter Holmes, is alleged to have said: ‘it is well known that women get dumber when they were (sic) pregnant.’
This is one part of a complaint about the managerial conduct at Airservices Australia in an amended writ filed in the Federal Court by air-traffic controller Kirsty Fletcher, who is suing ASA for discrimination.
There are any number of male buffoons I’d like to see go head-to-head (or beer gut-to-bump) with women who have worked right through their pregnancies and remained entirely focussed and utterly capable.
I worked in the demanding environment of breakfast radio (2DAYFM) through my pregnancies, as did Amanda Keller (2WS) and Kate Langbroek (Nova 100). Getting through the early mornings in a hormonal ‘fog’ just doesn’t cut it. For this type of fast-paced work – much of it improvised – you have to be 100 per cent on the ball. A quick study. All that. (Something you’d think air traffic controllers would understand).
ABC breakfast host and journalist Virginia Trioli is about to take leave for the birth of her first child, as is 7.30 co-host, Leigh Sales – both jobs require exceptional skill and perception. Chrissie Swann’s wit was at full wattage on The Circle when she was pregnant and, of course, we all watched Paper Giants and saw publishing maven Ita Buttrose (portrayed by Asher Keddie, left) skilfully negotiate the blokey world of media in the 1970s with a baby bump without becoming an addled dimwit.
We may not be able to fit through the door, but we remain fast on our feet.
Study after study has proven that “baby brain” or “preg head” is a myth.
Not only that, the studies also say that women’s intelligence actually increases women’s mental abilities.
In 2009 Professor Helen Christensen, of the Australian National University in Canberra, was part of a research team that tracked 2500 women over 10 years found no difference between their brainpower before and during their pregnancies.
The women were tested in four areas of cognition:cognitive speed, working memory and immediate and delayed recall.
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11 Responses to this article
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Sarah Wayland December 20, 2011
I managed to take on the biggest job of my career when I was 5 weeks pregnant and worked all the way through without once worrying that my brain wasnt working. I had a lot of support from my staff and chose to make career decisions not on the bump ahead of me but on a very clear vision of what I knew I could (and have) achieved. Thanks for putting all the research in one place
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Melita December 21, 2011
It’s great to see evidence that “baby brain” is bollocks, but I must admit that I felt physically wrecked during pregnancy. I had severe morning sickness (which lasted ALL DAY) during both of my pregnancies. I was working in a management role during one of my pregnancies but I needed time off and worked shorter days. Fortunately, my employer was extremely understanding and supportive. Pregnancy can be difficult for many women, but it does not mean they are mentally impaired – they might just need a rest or do things differently while pregnant – growing a human being is no mean feat!!
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Tara Moss December 27, 2011
Brilliant article, Wendy. ‘Baby Brain’ is little more than an insulting myth. Prof Peter Hartmann presented a fascinating talk at the recent ABA Breastfeeding conference, debunking this myth among other things. There was also an excellent piece published in Scientific American several years ago: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-maternal-brain
Indeed, studies have shown motherhood can actually improve intelligence – a logical survival mechanism if ever there was one.
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Carolyn December 27, 2011
I applaud and am heartened by the ability of my sisters to soldier on capably while pregnant, but have to admit that I was sick, exhausted and somewhat distracted throughout both my pregnancies. Does that make me the anti-feminist? Isn’t it okay to admit sometimes that some of us (not all, I hasten to clarify) feel the need to slow down and take it a bit easier?
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Miss J December 30, 2011
During both my pregnancies, I was studying for my degrees – I ‘lost’ an entire month of study in my first pregnancy. There were scads of well written, clear and concise notes in my hand writing, but when time came to review, it was as if I’d never seen them before (I was pleased I’d written such good notes, though). I was due to sit my exams when 38 1/2 weeks pregnant with #2, but I was completely inable to hold onto a coherent thought about what I was reviewing for exams (ironically, cognitive psychology).
Studying something new wasn’t such a good thing for me while pregnant. Doing my actual *job* wasn’t an issue, and nor was doing everything else I needed to do. I just figured the bits of my brain I needed for study were too busy growing arms and legs for such ‘unnecessary’ things as studying for exams.
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Doug Ingram January 4, 2012
Perhaps someone should have told Naomi Watts about this myth being just that. Back in 2009 in an interview about life post-pregnancy, she said “I’ve literally lost half my brain”. http://www.starpulse.com/news/Fred_Topel/2009/02/13/new_mommy_naomi_watts_in_action
Apparently she lost the half that deals with using the words correctly. If she’d literally lost half her brain this should have been a major medical story.
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Philipa Core January 7, 2012
I am glad to see this baby brain myth being debunked. I do think that from the moment a woman finds out (or suspects) she is pregnant she is never able to fully focus on just herself again. Part of her is always reserved for the baby growing inside her and then for that baby when it is outside of her. I think becoming a mother means that our priorities shift (and rightly so) However I also think that for committed Dads this is also true….. but its a man’s world out there
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Kerry January 19, 2012
I had an instance when I couldn’t, for the life of me, recall my phone number, when I was pregnant. Normally I’m good at remembering numbers. Up to that point I hadn’t even heard of “baby brain” .
