Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
memory processes, pregnant women, cognitive changes, memory performance
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Pregnancy is a complicated biological process that is often accompanied by reported cognitive changes among pregnant women. Pregnant women commonly report diminished cognitive functioning during pregnancy, with “forgetfulness” and “a poor memory” as the most common complaints (Brett & Baxendale, 2001; Crawley, 2002). However, despite these anecdotally reported deficits, the evidence suggesting memory impairments in pregnancy are equivocal. In a recent meta-analysis of 14 studies of memory in pregnancy, it was concluded that pregnancy disrupts some, but not all, memory processes (J. D. Henry & Rendell, 2007). In particular, memory tasks that place high demands on executive cognitive control seem to be impacted. Examples of memory processes requiring executive cognitive control include free recall (the recollection without any cues of previously studied material) and prospective memory (remembering to perform a task in the future).
Recommended Citation
Smith, Quentin and Kirwan, Dr. Brock
(2013)
"Memory Processes in Pregnant Women,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 560.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/560