Struggling at work - brain won't function!

[Piplette]

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and due to finish up in 3 weeks time.

I work in quite a mentally challenging role within a data and analytics environment.

While I'm not the best data analyst I do think I've got good experience and do a decent job but I am really struggling now.

My brain just doesn't seem to work - I feel like I'm permanently sedated so always trying to think through a thick fog which when you are processing numbers and trying to analyze data is not ideal.

I don't have any major health issues in this pregnancy -iron levels are low and I'm borderline for gestational diabetes but some people have it much worse.

I just hate the fact that I feel I can't do a good job and I'm letting people down or people are judging me based on how I've performed recently - I know I'm not at my best and it's so frustrating!

Any tips on how to try and sharpen up my brain for the last few weeks - its making me feel a bit miserable and useless right now :(

Oh OP, I feel you. Although I am only 24 weeks!

I work a 30 hour a week desk job in the NHS which, although not physically demanding, has huge pressures and challenges and I feel mentally drained at the end of the working week even prior to pregnancy... so now I feel like a complete zombie by Wednesday!

I have considered asking my boss to consider a change in my shift pattern up until I go on M/L (12 weeks.. not that I'm counting!) and condense my hours into 3 longer days. Although I still think it will be a struggle, my logic is that if I have an extra 2 days a week to take it slow and unwind at home, I would be much more productive when I'm at work as I'll be well rested (hopefully).

It is super frustrating feeling like your pregnancy has had an impact on your ability to do your job - I feel the exact same. I have noticed, especially over the last two weeks or so that my concentration span in almost non-existent and I make silly little mistakes or forget things and end up getting really flustered which is really unlike me. This has also had an impact on my anxiety levels - I find myself thinking about work constantly and "have I done that? oh I must write this down to remind myself to do this when I'm next in" etc. I'm worried I've forgotten something major or something will go wrong and it will be my fault. It's awful!

not really sure what advice I have - just wanted to let you know that I am feeling the effects of "baby brain" and hoping these next 12 weeks aren't too much of a struggle for me! x

Know what you mean (and I'm only 16 weeks, not so much brain fog but quite distracted!). And I get it, I think, my ego / self worth is very tied up with my job, I've put a lot of time and effort into that so the realisation that it's not going to be the only thing I focus on going forward is actually quite shocking. Don't have any advice, just maybe not to be so hard on yourself? You're growing a person, that's a pretty big deal. Anyone who judges you really maybe ought to try it!!! Don't know if this helps, but hugs to you x

Don't be so hard on yourself. And never make disparaging comments or refer to baby brain. Just brazen it all out. If someone comes to you and says "hey Piplette you made a mistake on this" just say "ooh yeah thanks for letting me know, I'll get on it" or whatever. Do NOT make a big deal of it.

Count down the days to mat leave and enjoy once you get there!

Just an update OP - my boss has been really good and agreed that I can work my hours over 4 days rather than 5, giving me a day off mid-week for some R&R!

It starts from next week and I'm super glad I mentioned how I'm feeling to my boss, I feel like it's a big weight off my shoulders x

OP if your iron levels are low that will probably be having quite an impact. I had v low levels in second pregnancy and could only just get through the days towards the end. As pp said, just do the best you can at the moment and look forward to finishing.

Thanks all. Have brought my mat leave start date forward so only 4 days to go which is a weight off my shoulders. Got to do a performance review with my boss before I finish which I'm not looking forward to as I've not been at my best during this pregnancy!