Postpartum Cognitive Functioning: A Review of Neurobiological and Psychological Factors
Nazrin Mamedova 
Abstract. The postpartum period is accompanied by significant biological and psychological changes that may affect a woman's cognitive function. The aim of this review is to analyze the available research on cognitive function in the postpartum period, focusing on memory, structural and functional changes in the brain, and postpartum depression. There were included scientific publications from the PubMed database. The review showed that although women often subjectively report memory loss after childbirth, objective studies often detect only minor changes or no cognitive impairment. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is the widespread stereotype of "pregnancy brain," which affects women's perceptions of their own cognitive abilities. Neuroimaging studies show that the postpartum period is characterized by significant adaptive changes in areas related to maternal behavior, emotional regulation, motivation, empathy, and the reward system. Additionally, postpartum depression is associated with changes in brain networks responsible for emotional processing and self-regulation. Overall, available data suggest that postpartum cognitive changes are typically mild and reflect adaptation to motherhood rather than significant cognitive decline.
Keywords: postpartum period, cognitive functioning, memory, brain plasticity, postpartum depression, maternal brain