Pregnant Women Prone to Memory Loss, Study Finds

Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness. You may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both.

The memory loss may be for a short time and then resolved (transient). Or, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time.

In severe cases, such memory impairment may interfere with daily living activities.

In a study, a group of pregnant women and control groups were given a series of tests of memory at the end of which they were asked to rate their own memories at present compared to some weeks ago (when they were not pregnant). Of the pregnant women 39 out of 48 (81%) rated their current memory as being impaired; only three out of 19 (16%) of the control subjects were similarly impaired in memory.  

Objective tests revealed that the pregnant group was significantly impaired in the recall of lists of words, particularly when learning was incidental rather than explicit. The pregnant group was also significantly impaired in two measures of priming memory. No significant deficit was found in recognition. The deficits were found in all trimesters of pregnancy.

The majority of women believe their memory to be impaired during pregnancy. 

Objectively, during pregnancy there is significant impairment of memory as tested by recall or by priming, but not by recognition.

 The pattern of memory loss differs from that of other amnesic conditions. Information imparted to pregnant patients may not be retained as well as might be expected.

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