Im just not interested - what's going on?

[jasmine51]

I would class myself as a 'career woman' - run my own business, love my work, totaly motivated by it. I am only 8 wks pg but have suddenly lost all interest in work, being with other people...even doing anything menaingful at home - what on earth is going on? I dont have ms, in fact I feel very well and energetic but I just cant interest my brain in anything cerebral. Anyone experienced this and got any thoughts?

Hiya, I'm currently doing a PhD which I was so excited about starting - find the topic absolutely fascinating and then I got pregnant! The first 3 months I found the lethargy totally debilitating - I just had no interest in anything whatsoever though like you I didn't suffer really from ms. I also found my brain completely incapable of processing new ideas and formulating hypotheses etc.. it was like I'd morphed into a completely different person.
And lets not get started on the lack of interest in housework (though that's never been a strong point!) DH has been wonderful!

I'm pleased to say that this all got progressively better after 12 weeks and now, just starting my third trimester I'd say I feel the same enthusiasm for stuff though tempered with perhaps a little less energy!

I hope things improve for you too - you have all my sympathy it was a really depressing first few months for me!

Ba8y1 thanks for your thoughts - I was feeling as if someone had liquidised my brain! I'm not tired so I cant blame that, but I'm am reassured by your comments about not being able to process ideas or form any meaningful ideas...thats exactly it. I've resorted to doing the company accounts because it doesnt require creativity (well, maybe...but YKWIM)I'll go with the flow and do some low key stuff for a while until brain cells wake up in a few weeks.
Thanks again

It sounds perfectly normal! Your body is doing something amazing right now, which is extremely demanding and distracting, even if you are not consciously aware of how much brain power this takes over.

Everyone is different, but I just wanted to curl up on the couch, and watch rubbish TV- I couldn't engage my brain in anything challenging, even a half-decent book was too much or anything that required me to think for myself. It was like I'd had a personality transplant.

Now at the other end of the pregnancy (37+5), still not quite back to normal, but that's the lack of sleep!

I'm much less interested in work since I found out I was PG too (16 weeks with first). And the news/politics/etc which I used to follow avidly. Nothing seems as exciting as reading up about pregnancy, babies and being a mum and the moment. I figure my interest in the wider world will come back sometime, though, so in the meantime I'm just enjoying it!

Oh I felt entirely anti-social & disinterested in anything outside the home for first 12 weeks. Starting to feel a little less home focused & interested in people again now I'm at week 14.

I have been reading LOTS though which is wonderful & also watching TV like Poirot & Miss Marple & Come Dine with Me - can't get enough of it!!!!

Change is as good as a rest!

FindingGuysMojo Ha ha re Come Dine with Me...its 60 Minute Makeover that has a weird magentic pull for me...probably watching all those people working hard and running around when I'm not! From what you all say, its a common thing so I am going to revel in my jelly brain and carry on doing trivial things...and wait for SMM to start in about half an hour!

Its called "pregnancy brain". I was a total hermit in the first trimester too.

I'll wager that although you'll get pretty much back to normal, you will never again be quite so interested in work, now you have a baby.

Jasmin51 - am 8 weeks and can't get motivated to do anything apart from faff around on mumsnet!!! I like to think its my way of adapting to my news but equally I feel crap - sickness and tiredness which wipe me out most afternoons [I think you saw my post]. I think we just have to ride it and hope that when we feel better our motivation will pick up..... it had better - I am starting a new job in 4 weeks time which is a big risk given my current situation!!!

This is all really interesting to me - if my brain was working properly I would be fascinated to find out what physical changes actually cause this really tangible jelly brain and sofa magnetism. Ignoring the obvious tiredness and lack of energy, there definitley seems to be something else going on that prevents normal brain function. Anyway, thats how I would be thinking if I could be bothered...now back to watching Friends and eating bombay mix...

I'm 9 weeks with my first and very up and down. No MS thankfully but my skin is dreadful and makes me feel self conscious. I've pretty much been a hermit this month. I used to go out loads - now my Saturday nights are spent watching X Factor wrapped in a slanket.

Work - I would gladly walk out if I could! I just can't be bothered with office politics and the pressure. Kicking myself that we are in a position where we need two salaries. You just don't think when you're younger...

The only thing I have been motivated to do is nesting - along with DP we've been pretty good at sorting out the house bit by bit.
(I've started a yoga DVD which has helped too - the first exercise I could motivate myself to do...)

I'm hoping the moods and disinterest will lift in the second trimester as some people have reported. I'd like to get my sparkle back!

For me, I've also realised that falling P has put things into perspective - it can make you realise what is important and what isn't, or what's working for you in your life, and what's not.