The term ''baby brain'' as a poor excuse

[DilemmaADay]

Not sure if this is unreasonable or not, but does anyone find people using "oops, baby brain" as an excuse when pregnant very irritating.

My SIL has been pregnant for the past few months and I brought her a voucher for a lovely meal out for her and DH for her birthday earlier this year (pre covid). I got nothing for my birthday, not even a card. I didnt mention it but when I heard from her she said she had completely forgotten my birthday and blamed it on "baby brain" with a tinkely little laugh. I havent had a belated card or anything, so I took that as she CBA rather than she genuinely forgot.

She recently used the term again when she forgot to get in touch with my DP about something. "Oops, baby brain!".

Funnily enough she never seems to forget anything benefiting her of her DH....
Does anyone else think the phrase 'baby brain' is a bit of a cop out? I have 1DC who I didnt suffer this with as far as I know

Peri menopause brain as well

It doesn't make you incompetent. It does mean you make more lists than before and make sure you take notes.

Many things can affect people's ability to do their job/ concentrate. Lack of sleep due to newborn. Stress like separation, divorce, bereavement. Excitement about a big event like a cup final. Arguments with colleagues or concern at a feeling of unequal treatment.

The list goes on and on and on.

Strangely it's only women who must immediately leave their job when the one thing that is only relevant for women occurs

Sexists gotta sexist, I suppose.

Hi everyone,
these posts caught my eye because I am very interested in the topic of 'Baby Brain' or 'Brain Fog' from a research perspective. This means in reality I am interested in trying to understand what it is and what causes it.

If anybody is interested in sharing their experiences under the mumsnet research area I am advertising for research participants on this topic. Just click on the link below to access the research area and information about this study.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/surveys_students_non_profits_and_start_ups/4051349-A-touch-of-Brain-Fog

Thanks everyone,
Louise

I definetly suffered from baby brain even months after the delivery and would feel very hurt if others questioned this (once had a huge row with DH over this).

However, I think even if you have baby brain its not an excuse to just laugh things away like forgetting a birthday. I would have been mortified, apologized and mentioned baby brain as a reason why she shouldnt take it personally, not use it as an excuse to just laugh things away.