Pregnancy Brain: It's a Thing! Here's a Few Tips to Help You...

Pregnant mommas, how often do you question whether or not pregnancy brain is actually a thing? For many of us, it seems like we become more and more forgetful as the months of pregnancy go on. Are we slowly losing our minds, or is there really something to this? Keep calm, because pregnancy brain is indeed a real thing.

What is Pregnancy Brain?

So, what exactly is pregnancy brain? Some of us are more familiar with this than others, but for those of us that experience it, it’s nice to know that there’s a reason for it! While there is no proof that pregnancy actually changes your brain, it is well documented that it can make you feel off your game. Some moms refer to this as “momnesia.” You may experience some memory lapses and feel like you forget just about everything you don’t write down. Again, don’t worry, you are totally not losing it.

What Causes Pregnancy Brain?

But, what causes this temporary forgetfulness? For one, pregnant mommas are generally under more stress than non-pregnant women. They often have a ton going on. Between balancing work and home life and getting prepared to bring baby home. Stress alone can certainly make it difficult to remember everything.

Your priorities during pregnancy will also change. It is thought that pregnancy has the ability to literally change your priorities and put baby stuff before other things. It’s hard to remember everything else when you have a million things to think about when it comes to the arrival of your beautiful baby!

Secondly, our hormones are completely chaotic during pregnancy and hormonal changes can certainly impact your mood and memory. Here’s another thing you can blame on those surging hormones!

Lastly, many pregnant moms don’t sleep well. As we all know, a lack of sleep can make it difficult to function. Try mixing sleep deprivation with pregnancy, and you have yourself a recipe for pregnancy brain. Remember that no one can think straight on little to no sleep, so don’t beat yourself up if you are more forgetful than usual.

The Bottom Line

If walking into the kitchen for something only to forget what you were looking for is happening more often than not, know that you are not alone and that there’s a real reason for your brain to be acting fuzzy! If it’s starting to stress you out, know that this is temporary, and there are a couple of things you can do to help support your memory during pregnancy.

#1 Write Things Down:

Writing things down is helpful whether you are pregnant or not. When you have a lot to juggle, it definitely helps to keep a list of what you need to accomplish and your top priorities. Try making a daily to-do list, so you don’t forget to do the important things.

#2 Try to Get Some Sleep:

I get it, pregnancy can make sleeping downright uncomfortable. This is true for all stages of pregnancy, but especially in the later months as our bellies get in the way. Try your best to find a comfortable way to sleep. Maybe invest in a pregnancy pillow to help you stay comfortable all night. The more sleep you get, the better you will feel physically and mentally.

#3 Take Some Time to Relax:

Since stress can cause all sorts of unwanted symptoms, including a foggy memory, make sure to schedule in some time for you! Book a mani or pedi or even a massage before baby comes. Set some time aside to do some yoga or meditation each day. Buy some new clothes and find something that you enjoy and make it a routine. This will significantly help reduce your stress levels, and in turn help you think more clearly. Plus, it’s a great habit to implement now before baby arrives.

         Remember that pregnancy brain is normal and temporary. Try to take it in stride and enjoy your time being pregnant as much as you can. Before you know it your little bundle of joy will be here and your forgetfulness should soon fade away. For now, do what you can to take care of you and be kind to yourself! Growing a human is a ton of work, so it’s ok to be forgetful in this time of your life.