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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

losing the plot

33 replies

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 17:32

there is baby brain, and then there is just plain losing the plot.

I am sure it was never this bad with DC1.

I usually have an excellent memory, and a fair amount of common sense. I know I'm not stupid.
I'm 36 weeks, and I feel like I can't hold a thought for longer than 3 seconds, and everything is hazy. I can't even read a whole page in a book, and I used to read a 1000 page book every 3-4 days, even with distractions from DC1, while walking, cooking or holding a conversation. I can't even manage the walking, cooking or holding a conversation now, nevermind the reading.
It is making me SO cross with myself.
I'm trying to write an essay about pulmonary and respiratory functions, and I've managed ONE paragraph in two days, not for lack of trying. I just can't concentrate on what I am trying to say.

And it's getting worse. I know some things are funny (like trying to make squash with the contents of my washing up liquid bottle, or attempting to do the washing up with salad cream) to a point, but I am hating it. I feel so out of control.
This is going to get worse, isn't it?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 18:20

really? nobody else?

OP posts:

captainbarnacle · 23/03/2011 18:34

Me me!!

Last week I carefully parked the car, put £3 in the meter, went back to the car... and displayed the ticket in my bag.

I didn't realise until I went back to the car 3 hours later.

I too am trying to write a science assignment and struggling. Am only 20w too!

nickstermum · 23/03/2011 19:34

Aw bless Ivy... not long now and then you will be back to mega multitasking and being supermum xx

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 23/03/2011 20:37

I keep losing my keys and forgetting my passwords, not like me at all. But knowing that it happens to most of us is very comforting.

When's your essay due?

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 20:46

tomorrow at midnight. Not going to happen.

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BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 23/03/2011 20:48

At midnight? What, they have some poor admin person sitting with a cup of coffee waiting up for your submissions?

Surely, though, at so far pregnant they could afford to be kind and give you an extension...?

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 20:52

it's submitted electronically, and doesn't actually get looked at for something like another week afterwards, but obviously is timestamped..
I've emailed my tutor to see what she says, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Oh well, it's not like I actually need to complete this course anyway, but I paid for it...
I was quite honest with my tutor and told her I just can't use my brain at the moment, it's not working. I'm sure she'll love it.

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BigBabyBoots · 23/03/2011 21:02

I had lots of examples, but as my brain isn't working, I can't remember any of them...

Although I did completely forget my address when I caught a taxi the other day - made it very hard getting home!

Most of it is funny, but I know what you mean about not feeling in control and not yourself. At least you don't have long to go, I'm only at week 14

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 21:09

I keep trying to remember my name when I'm required to sign for post (every day), and have occasionally signed with my maiden name. the only reason I don't even try to write lists of things I need to remember to do is because I would lose the lists.
My driving is actually so dangerous at the moment I don't want to drive anywhere, especially not with DC1 in the car..

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misty0 · 23/03/2011 21:23

Oh gosh i'm so glad someone else has mentioned driving.

Driving home today i suddenly found i was in such a deep daydream i couldn't remember where i'd been! How bad is that? Also i negotiated a massive roundabout by just poodling straight on .... jeees .... i dare not tell my OH.

clareanna · 23/03/2011 21:37

ivy I hope you get a kind response from your tutor. Maybe it is brian's way of telling you to slow down and take it a bit easier? Not long to go now... And then the sleep deprivation will take over big hugs to you - and I prescribe a duvet day and some trashy tv that requires no actual thinking at all (failing that, cbeebies)

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 23/03/2011 22:13

misty if my DH knew what my driving is like at the moment, he'd confiscate my car keys.
Yesterday I drove all the way to our old house, walked to the front door and wondered why my keys weren't working. thankfully, my MIL who now loves there, wasn't home.

clareanna DS is actually with the childminder tomorrow so I can finish off that assignment, but I somehow don't think it'll get done. Under normal circumstances I would have been able to bash this out in an hour or two, but I just can't see it happening.

in a way I was hoping that maybe the whole going loopy thing was a sign that baby is on its way, but it's not allowed to happen until next thursday anyway. it's more likely not to happen for another 5 weeks, knowing me. by that point I would have forgotten my husband's name, sold my son and set the house on fire.

OP posts:

jenga079 · 24/03/2011 07:39

I tried to get through the barrier at the train station by clicking my car key at it.

FeralGirlCambs · 24/03/2011 08:31

Hi Ivy. Is your essay for the OU? I used to teach for them and would ALWAYS have given an extension in your circs, and I was not especially lenient. Actually tutors can't mark all the essays at once so giving a few extensions takes the pressure off them (they normally have to mark within 2 weeks of receipt, not the official deadline). Other institutions are doubtless different but thought this might be useful!

My driving is APPALLING at present - along the lines of 'oh look at the pretty flowers in that hedge; let's turn the front of the car towards them for a better look'

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 24/03/2011 10:11

thanks FGC, yes it is, and my tutor has kindly offered me an extension, so it takes a bit of the stress off my head.
And yes, I do that while driving at the moment, too, as well as pulling out without looking, just because I forget, or ignoring speedlimits and generally driving everywhere either at 20mph or 40..

jenga sorry, that made me laugh out loud!

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thefurryone · 24/03/2011 10:58

Oh Ivy totally feel your pain. I have a big presentation tomorrow and have to try and learn my script today, it's my PhD I know all about it and yet going through it reads like someone else has written it, and to top it all I was presented with some random form to go with it yesterday that asks questions I should easily know the answer to, but I just can't see to turn my brain towards to the right information. Also 36 weeks.

Good luck with the assignment, glad you got the extension sorted.

BlingLoving · 24/03/2011 11:01

I am working from home today as I was struggling at work. Still not working. I can't THINK. It drives me mad. I suddenly have a olt more sympathy for DH who gets all stressed out when he can't run for some reason - I am used to my brain just being there and useful.

Original poster

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 24/03/2011 11:38

Blingloving yes, that's exactly it!! it's just the sheer inability to think that is driving my crazy. when you KNOW that the answer is there somewhere, but your brain has forgotten the way to it.
I feel like I'm constantly drugged up. bloody hormones.

I now believe my husband when I ask him "what are you thinking" and he says "nothing". I never thought that was actually possible, but it turns out that it is. Infuriating.

OP posts:

lia66 · 24/03/2011 11:42

Just a hug ((())) you're nearly there. It will pass after as you know. I'm glad the tutor has been understanding, last thing you need right now is added stress.

Sml glass of wine nd a warm bath.

MrsMooky · 24/03/2011 12:29

I had to split a million pound + budget whilst feeling completely incapable of even walking and talking at the same time. I don't feel it went very well. My only consolation is that I will be on maternity leave by the time all my mistakes come to light.

quasimodo123 · 24/03/2011 13:19

Ivy you are not alone.

Im not trying to do anything particularly intellectual like write essays just get through the working day so it might make you feel better to know that in the last 2 days I have sprayed hairspray on my underarms instead of deoderant , gone to make a cup of tea at work, boiled the kettle then found i have no cup... it was still on my desk and found my keys in the fridge! ..... luckily i dont have long left either!

owlbooty · 24/03/2011 13:58

Ivy you poor love, am totally sympathetic. I had an important telephone conference at 12 today. Where was I? Sitting outside eating a butty in the sunshine. How embarrassing. My brain is like a big mushy pile of mush. Driving is terrifying.

I can't imagine how you're managing to write an essay. You need a medal for that

jellyhead188 · 24/03/2011 14:31

You're not alone, I lose sense mid conversation sometimes and can't remember what I was talking about! The most scary thing that happened to me was that I approached a roundabout in the car and suddenly couldn't remember which way around you were supposed to go - despite having been driving for 10 years and going that way to work every day for the previous 3 years!!!

This is my 3rd baby - it does come back a bit in between but unfortunately I don't your brain ever quite returns to what it was!!!

nickelbabyhatcher · 24/03/2011 16:47

see, i'm panicking abotu this "baby brain" stuff.

i'm notorious for having a bad memory, and i can't stringa series of thoughts together, let alone be coherent!
and i'm a very clumsy person.

I'm just going to be a ball of fluff at the end, aren't i?

nickelbabyhatcher · 24/03/2011 16:48

"I keep trying to remember my name when I'm required to sign for post (every day), and have occasionally signed with my maiden name. " - see, this is why you shouldn't change your name when you get married!

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