Study shows pregnancy really does make women forgetful

Pregnant women have poorer memory than their non-pregnant counterparts, a New Zealand study has found. Photo / Northern Advocate

A new study has revealed absentmindedness in pregnant women may not just be a popular stereotype but rather a scientific fact.

The cross-sectional study, to be presented at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists annual scientific meeting in Auckland today, found memory and attention were compromised in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Stereotypical forgetfulness in pregnant woman had not been widely analysed with objective neuropsychological tests, RANZCOG spokeswoman Lenore Ellett said.

Tests were carried out on 30 women in the first trimester, 30 women in the third trimester and 30 non-pregnant women, Dr Ellett said.

"Compared to non-pregnant controls, women in the third trimester performed worse in measurements of auditory memory," she said.

The mean index score for combined memory measurement was 10 points lower in pregnant women compared to the control group.

No change was found in measurements of visuospatial memory, she said.

"The study demonstrates that pregnant women do have poorer memory function than non-pregnant women, particularly with regards to auditory memory.

"This is important given that information given to pregnant women is usually verbal."

Dr Ellett said clinicians needed to be aware that information given to pregnant women orally may not be retained as well as written information.

- NZPA