Brain development during pregnancy

Your baby’s brain grows quickly during pregnancy. They learn in the womb through touch, sound, movement and taste.

Protecting your baby’s brain

Looking after your own health during pregnancy helps to protect your baby’s brain development.

There are things you can do to protect your baby's brain development while you are pregnant.

eat a healthy diet with the right nutrients
get the whooping cough (pertussis), flu and COVID-19 vaccines
avoid or take extra care with certain foods
avoid toxic chemicals
contact your GP if you take medicines and plan to get pregnant
ask your GP, midwife or a pharmacist if a medicine is safe in pregnancy before you take it
take time to relax and do things you enjoy
attend your antenatal appointments
get help to quit smoking if you smoke

No amount of alcohol or illegal drugs is safe during pregnancy. If you use alcohol or drugs, stop when you find out you are pregnant.

If you find it hard to stop, you can get support from your GP, midwife or a drug and alcohol service.

Your baby’s brain can be affected if you get an infection.

During pregnancy, avoid contact with people and animals that may have infectious diseases. For example, parvo, toxoplasmosis and COVID-19.

Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 generally do well. But there may be an increased risk of premature birth and stillbirth.

Make sure that you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. If you are pregnant and get COVID-19, tell your GP or midwife.

Zika virus can damage a baby's developing brain. Avoid travelling to countries where there is a risk of Zika virus.

If your travel is essential, talk to your GP or visit a travel health clinic.

Doing activities to bond with your baby in the womb can help your baby’s brain to develop.

You can:

Page last reviewed: 18 November 2025
Next review due: 18 November 2028

This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 8.