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Does this “Baby Brain” phenomenon go away with the morning sickness?
Say yes. Please say yes.
Today I’m in a total fog. I can see out my eyes, but am really having trouble connecting with the stuff that’s out there.
Last night I went to the bookstore to look for a book someone recommended to me. I didn’t find THE BOOK, but I glanced through one of those “pregnancy over 35″ books. (I’m 35.) It was so scary. I was like, I do NOT need to be reading THIS. I mean, talk about stress inducement.
I did have fun (later, at home, away from scary over 35 pregnancy books) looking up our potential baby names on the baby name wizard…it’s a site that shows you the popularity of any name throughout history. All of the names we’ve picked out for girls or boys are less than 100 in 1 million babies! You’d think you’d pick maybe one or two really rare ones, but all of them!
Over the weekend, we did the “ring test” to see whether it’s a girl or boy, and it’s either a girl or too early to tell. The ring just hung there perfectly still. I think it’s a boy, and my sister in law Kim thinks it’s a boy.
15 Responses to “Baby Brain?”
I don’t think “Baby Brain” goes away…at least not until they are toddlers. Then, something else happens…..not sure what! The fog is still around:)
It goes away when the baby goes to college.
For some people, it eases up in the 2nd trimester when the tiredness also abates. For others, it lingers a LONG time - but I’ve read that omega-3 acids and other DHLs (good-fatty acids, I think? like cod liver oil?) help. Have yet to try it.
Go away? Hahahaha. Oops, sorry. The intense fogginess of first trimester does fade, only to be replaced with a chronic mind-fog after arrival of the little one. Sometime around the 3rd birthday you get your full faculties back. Except for the part in the back of the brain that’s always on mommy-mode.
congrats on the pregnancy!! I’m a lurker who hasn’t been checking in on the knitting world much lately. I’m due with my first at the end of August, and I can tell you that, sadly, pregnancy brain doesn’t go away after the first tri. fortunately, you’ll probably feel less exhausted soon, so the preggo brain stuff will become more comical than isolating. (also, I’ll be 35 in September and I say BAH! to the whole “advanced maternal age” thing. it’s all about vague risks and stats, and it’s not worth the stress, IMO!)
Is there a specific book you need? I still have a few, and would be happy to send them on to you.
I totally think you’re having a boy, but as some smart ass always says, it’s bound to be one or the other.
Congratulations! I had my daughter when I was 38 and decided early on to not read scary pregnancy anything. I had an easy (ha) pregnancy and an easy (ha) delivery. You will be great! Remember, nature rewards you for waiting. Statistically speaking, babies born to “older” mothers are smarter and healthier, not to mention MUCH less likely to die of SIDS. MUCH less. You will be fine, and your baby will be a wonderful addition to your family. Try and enjoy the special treatment (I hope you’re getting some) while it lasts. With regard to your lost IQ points, don’t plan on regaining them anytime soon. My daughter will be a year old next month, and I’ve only got about 10 of them back.
The Pregnant Brain doesn’t really leave. Mine was the worst when I was so sick, but I still haven’t gotten my full brain capacity back! I used to be able to remember just about everything, now I can’t remember peoples names or titles of things. Sad. I look at it this way, if my baby is sucking out all my intelligence, then it’s fine….she’ll definitely be smart! I thought we were having a boy as well, and everyone I know thought it was a boy, so everyone was surprised that we’re having a girl. Thrilled too!
Oh yeah, when I found out I was pregnant, I ordered a bunch of books off of Amazon. You know how many I’ve read?? The one that a friend let me borrow. Too much info freaks me out. I have recentlly bought a bunch about childbirth, breastfeeding, etc, and we’ll see how overwhelmed I get.
I’m sorry to say - the pregnancy brain remains, and then morphs into Mommy brain, which is really no better. Sorry! I’ve heard the Mommy brain never goes away.
Have you said on your blog when you’re due? I’m due early January with my 2nd. This is such an exciting time! I can’t remember if I’ve told you yet, but Congratulations!!!
We tried to pick names that weren’t too common, so our daughter is Matilda, but we call her matz or Mati, and with the boys, well, we weren’t so lucky! When our youngest was born he was the first boy born that day and the next boy was born late that day and as it turns out, the other boy was named our sons EXACT name but in reverse ::sigh:: how unimaginative of them!
Oh, the baby brain thing is now for LIFE - sorry …
I *still* don’t have an exact due date. The one I calculated for myself is January 20. I’m going for my first midwife appt today, but it’s just for paperwork! So I’m not sure if this healthcare place is just too busy for me, and it’ll be hard to get in, or if they just don’t really see people until they’re farther along or WHAT. It seems like they’d want to see people right away when they find out. But they seem to assume that people know what to do and what not to do… it’s just weird to me!
When you guys were pregnant, how was it at work? Did you find that people were accommodating of your morning sickness/baby brain/general discomfort. Whether with half days or more time on projects?
So far, I haven’t needed any special treatment, but I do have days where I’m just so foggy! I know someone showed me how to do something, but I can’t remember exactly what to do.
So I’m kinda feeling bad about that.
Maybe I’ll see if the doctor has a letter or pamphlet or something for employers about what pregnancy is like. It might help(?)
I was lucky enough to work in a department that was 98% female - there were always a couple of pregnant women around. People were very accomodating and understanding. They even brought me extra food! When I was feeling particularly nasty, I typically got to go home early, without any repercussions, etc.
I don’t know if there’s a pamphlet or anything for employers that explains about pregnancy. If your Dr doesn’t have one, maybe copy a page out of book that mentions pregnancy brain - I’m serious - some of the books I’ve read talk about it! Copy the page and give it to your boss, or something like that.
No healthcare provider wanted to see me until I was 12 weeks along, unless any problems cropped up. Not even my homebirth midwife! And as everyone else has already stated, the brain fog will be around for a while, but you learn to deal with it–write lists and notes to yourself, leave things out with car keys on top so you don’t forget them in the morning, etc. I think grazing throughout the day helped, too. Instead of big meals I think I snacked my way through the whole 10 months.
I’m in the third trimester and STILL experiencing baby brain (or, as a friend calls it, placenta brain.) Lists and notes really are the most helpful, I think. By the way, thanks for the link for baby names!! We’ve already chosen a name (Leo), but it’s fun to see how common it is.
Each child takes a chunk of your brain. I have three. I think I may have a small chunk left, but some days I doubt it! Knitting helps me feel that I can still think.