Memory/brain fog

[alittleadvicepls]

My job involves a lot of reading/learning things off by heart and just relying on my memory a lot but I’m really struggling. I was doing fine last year and the only thing that’s changed is a pregnancy and childbirth. I attributed my memory loss/brain fog to having a newborn and broken sleep but he’s 14 months now and no signs of improvement.

I just cannot retain information for the life of me. No matter how much time I spend trying to learn it- I record things, draw maps with colour codes, handwrite my notes, copy them over and over. Do you think my brain fog could be associated with pregnancy still? It’s not just not retaining info it’s misplacing things constantly. I lose my phone so often that I’ve cried or frustration trying to find it.

Just after some advice/similar experiences. Has this happened to anyone? Does it get better? What would the gp be able to do?

Hello, I'm probably not much help, but I am literally the same I'm only young, I have a child and work 3 days a week, I do have bad anxiety/health anxiety, and recently I've been the same misplacing things, forgetting things and all sorts and it's scaring me to be honest. Could be lack of certain vitamins etc? Sleep? Dehydration etc hope your ok

Brain fog is a really common symptom of long covid - it might be worth seeing your GP about it

get your throid levels checked, they often go out of whack when you have had a baby and it can cause brain fog. While you are at the GP, also get iron, B12, D and magnesium as low levels can contribute and they are very common to be depleted

Thanks everyone! I had Covid back in 2021 so I’d be surprised if it was long covid. I’ll get some bloods done and see what shows up. DH thinks it’s just age but I’m only 29!!

Is you child still breastfeeding? Do they wake you up at night? Those things can both definitely cause you to not think completely clearly in the day. Otherwise I have to say just having children impacts your mental capacity for other things - they are the most important thing to you so your consciousness is already filled with when will they next eat and what, when is it time for nap, what will they wear, how to treat their nappy rash, etc etc etc. you didn't have all that to think about before! I have accepted brain fog as normal and mine are 10! But it does get better than in the earlier years.

Your sleep is never the same after having a child. It's likely to be lighter, always on alert, so you don't get the deep sleep and level of dream that means you want up fresh and mentally at your peak.