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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Baby Brain

26 replies

BabyOnBoard11 · 10/12/2017 19:42

Hi Mummys and Mummy's To Be,

This is my first post..

I wanted to ask if anyone else suffered from or is suffering from baby brain? And not just a generic memory loss? More small tasks that should be simple seem to go wrong? Before I started maternity leave I worked in a professional job in an office and was reasonably smart but since I start maternity last month I seem to be becoming more and more daft each day. We're due in the next few weeks.

Thanks xx

OP posts:
Mrstobe90 · 11/12/2017 01:08

Yes!! Omg yes! I’ve turned into a complete idiot with my baby brain. Getting confused as to how to do really simple things and mixing up words constantly to the point where some of my conversations just don’t make much sense!
I’ve found that taking my time and really thinking things over in my head can really help! Xx

confused123456 · 11/12/2017 01:15

I didn't, not at all.

Mustang27 · 11/12/2017 02:13

Absolutely, it's really horrible as I'm complete control freak but become a dithering idiot whilst pregnant.

I told my new neighbours my son was 4 the other day whilst introducing myself BlushBlush he is 2 and a half Hmm I was like I have no idea why I said 4, felt like an idiot. Im due my second any day.

Ishouldreallybeworkingg · 11/12/2017 07:29

Yep!

My baby brain started at about week 20 of pregnancy, I've done some really stupid things due to it which I can't name as anyone knowing me would recognise the list of stupid things I've done recently.

I hope I get my brain back in a couple of months when baby is born!

Anatidae · 11/12/2017 07:34

Yes.

And it’s not gone after birth. I have a highly demanding scientific/technical job and I am not performing how I used to. I feel, quite frankly, thick as mince.
I think it’s a combination of things:

Exhaustion and depletion: I had HG in pregnancy and this seems to have done me a lot of damage.
Sleep deprivation: ds slept no more than one hour a stretch for 18m. This did further damage.
Cognitive load: a lot of my brain seems to be taken up with the emotional and logistical load of keeping a family running.

Not much you can do about 1 and 2 but 3 is infinitely worse if you’re married to someone who doesn’t pick up after themselves. If you have such a manchild then sort that out. Otherwise, it’ll either go after birth or you’ll spend he next twenty years wandering around in an exhausted depressed fog.

user1499786242 · 11/12/2017 07:35

Tbh I still use the excuse baby brain and my kid is 2 and a half...
now I'm pregnant again I don't know my arse from my elbow haha

Olivelor · 11/12/2017 08:11

I am 6 months pregnant and haven't noticed it. That would be the first thing to ask about when my DH comes home today; that if he sees me like an idiot lately....ConfusedGrin

Mustang27 · 11/12/2017 08:34

@Anatidae your post does not bode well for me Sad

Anatidae · 11/12/2017 08:41

It does suck, not least because it feeds into the ‘daft woman’ stereotype and I hate that.

If you’re still suffering after a prolonged period it would be worth getting a few bloods done - thyroid (a full panel) 25(OH) vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and general sugars/bp as well. Make sure you get a printout - the reference ranges they will tell you your thyroid is OK at are quite shockingly wide in the UK.

Otherwise I think it’s exhaustion for me. Demanding job, demanding kid, no time ever to recharge, no family help, two hours a day commute to nursery and back.

MummaTwinkleToes · 11/12/2017 08:46

Yes. Normally I have a really freakishly good memory for details but pregnancy and sleep deprivation have destroyed it! Too many examples to list. Blush have lost my car so many times, the most embarrassing was when heavily pregnant with DS1 and buying paint in b&q. A lovely lad who worked there came to my assistance to carry the paint out to my car unfortunately I couldn’t remember where I parked and it took five laps of the car park stopping numerous times due to being breathless from anaemia and having SPD before finding it right by the shop entrance. He was so patient and kind that I went back the next day with a thank you card and £20.

Thishatisnotmine · 11/12/2017 08:46

I thought it was a myth. I would think "that's just an excuse for being forgetful, if I was pregnant I wouldn't use baby brain excuses".

Until I got pregnant! Things just would not stick in my head! I lost things, wondered round the house or work unsure why I got oyt of my chair to begin with. I think it could be because you have more things on your mind, especially with a second pregnancy. My thoughts were definitely more scattered.

scoutcat · 11/12/2017 11:46

Yes and I'm a teacher! I keep forgetting simple words during lessons. 🙈

Expectingbsbunumber2 · 11/12/2017 12:01

Yup! Baby brain here too. It doesn't go away after birth either! 🙈

Sophierome · 11/12/2017 14:01

I walked out of a shop with an item of clothing in my hand that too with a tag on (in Central London) and when the security asked me to stop I looked at them as if they were mad. Luckily they realised I wasn't stealing it and it was a mistake but oh dear was it embarrassing or what 😂🤣

Ekphrasis · 11/12/2017 15:04

At tomes yes I'm the first trimester. Usually when tired. And when my thyroid started to get a bit out of control; as soon as I was on a better dose of thyroxine I improved within 2 weeks.

Id be wary of talking about it in front of others though - it can add to the negative stereotyping of women in the work place... I've been careful to just say - 'oh I forgot' no self deprecating other comments needed!

Ekphrasis · 11/12/2017 15:05

Times ... baby brain!!

Ekphrasis · 11/12/2017 15:06

And what @Anatidae said regarding iron etc.

Ekphrasis · 11/12/2017 15:07

Apparently the brain physically changes during and after pregnancy, and the changes can last up to 2 years post partum.

Anatidae · 11/12/2017 15:26

I’m almost 2.5 years pp and I still feel dreadful :(

Ct17218 · 11/12/2017 16:45

Yep! Asked my DP to hoover the grass A few months back.... I meant cut. I also told the dog last week not to chase hamsters... I meant squirrels! My words have gone as has my focus!

NoWittyNamesAvailable · 11/12/2017 17:00

Pregnant with number 3 and its horrendous this time, DH found the lint roller in the fridge a few days ago and i regularly forget the most basic of words.

TheVoiceOfTreason · 11/12/2017 23:54

Yes. The incident now known as "laundry-gate"....

I changed the bed and put the sheets on to wash. Emptied the machine. Couldn't find the sheet. Went to check the bed. I hadn't taken the sheet off, I just put the new sheet on top of the old sheet.

Skills.

Then the following week, I put a load of laundry on and forgot to shut the drawer. So no detergent went in the machine, just a load of wet dirty clothes sloshing around.

Again, skills....

🙈🙊

Glitterfish · 12/12/2017 00:05

I forgot to go to work one day! When my boss rang to see if i was ok i just started chatting away to him - no clue why he was calling!!

BigBaboonBum · 12/12/2017 01:03

I have this really bad this time, this is my third pregnancy and I’ve never had it to this extent before... I will forget words and what I’m talking about mid sentence, all the time. It was a little funny at first but now it’s just really frustrating to the point where I don’t even bother engaging in conversation sometimes just to avoid me losing the plot half way through

Original poster
BabyOnBoard11 · 12/12/2017 09:58

Aww thank you so much for all your replies and sharing your stories ladies. It’s so nice and helpful to know it’s not just me lol 🙈🙈 Feeling better about it now I know it Is something that does actually happen lol.

Hope the rest of your pregnancies all go well xx

OP posts: