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"Beautiful, Elke, how you advocate for the maternal brain in your book 'the mother brain myth' bringing conscious attention and sharing valuable insights." - Nathalie

ABOUT THE BOOK

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Motherhood changes your brain, and not just a little bit. From pregnancy to at least six years after birth—and perhaps for life—the maternal brain undergoes changes. Not only in biological mothers, but also in adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and fathers, the caregiving brain changes. These changes in mothers are often dismissed as the forgetful mom brain , but what if they actually have powerful benefits?

Unfortunately, persistent myths about the maternal brain persist, making mothers feel guilty for supposedly not functioning at ‘full capacity’. But what if we focused more on the strengths and powers that the maternal brain brings with it? These are not given sufficient recognition because our society does not make room for them.


It is time to clear the fog around the mother brain. Elke De Witte, PhD in neurolinguistics and mother of two sons, agrees. When brain fog and identity questions overwhelmed her, she delved into science and spoke to mothers, fathers, researchers, healthcare providers and experts.

In this book she refutes myths, describes the impact of the maternal brain on our thinking, feeling and functioning, and shares insights from the more than two hundred mothers she interviewed. Together with experts she offers concrete advice for mothers, their environment and society. Because caring for the maternal brain is a collective responsibility!

Bio

REVIEWS

This book gave me so many "aha" moments. It's such a relief to have an explanation for all those blind spots I had when I first became a mother... That's what makes the book so valuable. It offers a scientific yet very accessible insight into the mind and brain of a mother...

Scientifically substantiated, but at the same time accessible and recognizably written. An absolute must, not only for mothers, but also for fathers, grandparents, and anyone who wants to understand what it means to care for your child from your heart and head (brain).

REVIEW LIEVE, GRANDMOTHER

As a mother, I often felt confused and overstimulated — I thought it was just part of motherhood. But this book gave me words, insight and recognition. Finally a book that explains what really happens in your head when you become a mother, without falling into clichés.

REVIEW KRISTIEN, MOTHER

In The Press

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Elke De Witte holds a PhD in neurolinguistics and has been working on international brain projects for many years.

She is a mother of two boys and her first birth presented significant challenges. A difficult first delivery led to post-traumatic stress, post- partum anxiety and brain fog. Even after a much more positive second birth, she still struggeld with brain fog and an identity crisis.
Seeking answers she delved into the neurobiology, psychology and sociology of the maternal brain. She combined her research, personal experiences, and insights with experts and over 200 mothers into this book.

Aankomende open events

  • Tue, Jan 27
    De kracht van het ouderbrein
    Jan 27, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    Helan organiseert regelmatig webinars rond mentaal welzijn. Ze nodigen hiervoor experts uit die hun kennis delen. Op 27 januari zal Elke De Witte haar kennis delen over het moederbrein en ouderlijk brein.
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  • Feb 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    Aan de Thomas More hogeschool kan je navormingen volgen. Elke De Witte wordt uitgenodigd op 13 februari om in de namiddag les te geven over het moederbrein. Van moederbrein tot gender disappointment: inzichten uit de perinatale psychologie
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CONTACT

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© 2025 by Elke De Witte. Powered and secured by Wix. Photos by Christophe De Muynck

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