If you are pregnant then you may have surely come across the term pregnancy brain or may have even experienced it. Also known as momnesia, it’s related to pregnant women being forgetful during the pregnancy phase. Interestingly, this has generated a great deal of curiosity among the researchers who are still trying to figure out if at all pregnancy brain is a reality or simply a myth.
But if go by some of the vital studies, pregnancy brain is indeed a reality. If you happen to be suffering from it, you will tend to forget certain things during the course of a day such as your appointment, a phone number or things like whether you turned off the fan or not, is the gas stove on or off etc.
What leads to Pregnancy Brain?
This is all linked to your hormones acting a little funny at the cost of your memory. Lack of quality sleep owing to various health conditions is said to trigger pregnancy brain. It generally happens during the first and third trimesters.
The big and exciting changes which you experience during pregnancy phase can also affect your brain’s ability to focus. Research says that brain tends to perform differently during pregnancy, escalating activity in the side linked with emotional skills. Also, the brain-cell volume in fact decreases in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Things you need to know
You don’t have to worry much about being forgetful as it’s completely normal — and exceptionally common. If you are someone able to master multitasking skills, pregnancy brain can make things a little messed up. But as it’s temporary, you don’t have to think too much about it.
Measures you can take
As said, pregnancy brain is a temporary thing and it will go away on its own. You don’t need any medicinal help for the same. However, to make life easier, you can always consider the following measures.
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Relax and give yourself the needed space. Try to stay away from stress as it can only worsen the condition.
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It would be better to write things down. If you have to remember certain things like buying groceries, making certain phone, questioning your practitioner, etc. get a note prepared for quick recall.
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You can even go tech-savvy and make use of your Smartphone to keep things organized and set alarms for all important stuff.
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Cut down the number of things you need to remember in a day. It would be better if you can reduce your responsibilities.
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Don’t take too much of stress if you forget anything important. Take it in a light manner and laugh it off. It’s the best way of relaxing your mind.
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Eat a healthy diet and take all the vitamins as prescribed by your health care provider. It will keep stress away and relax your mind.
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If at all you face excess of problem, speak to your doctor and seek some healthy advice instead of taking medicines on your own.
Just prepare yourself. Expect this fog to stay during first weeks of your delivery. Postpartum tiredness will also continue to make you feel forgetful, but as said, it will also pass soon.