Stepping into motherhood then you must have experienced Momnesia or pregnancy brain or brain fog. You may forget why you walked into the store, where you left your lunch box, where you had kept your purse…and many more. Don’t worry you are not alone. Some may experience it after delivery. Why it happens during pregnancy…? Does pregnancy changes your brain too? No…not at all possible right? Then how it happens… what is the science behind it. Then surely blame is on hormones.
Increase in the hormone levels during pregnancy can be blamed for everything from morning sickness to pregnancy brain. Hormones like estrogen, oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin are the main causes for this. And one more thing to be blamed is lack of sleep. When you are stressed or sleep deprived you tend to forget things easily. You have many compartments in your brain and pregnancy brain will forget the other stuffs, to focus on the caring for the baby.
What if you forget to complete whatever goals set for you in office? Or you forget to ask gynecologist about some doubts you have, or the grocery list you wanted to buy. So what can you do to cope with the Momnesia?
Better to write it down when you remembered, make list of the things you need to do. Keep a notepad and pen with you so that you can note it down. Nowadays technology has improved such that you can have everything at one place. ‘Google keep’ is one thing where you can note down, organize properly and you can keep reminders for the same.
Lack of sleep is also to be blamed, most of the moms have to face sleepless nights after the baby arrives. But we haven’t realized that sleeping trouble starts during pregnancy itself, before your baby’s arrival. Frequent trips to the bathroom makes difficult to get good night rest. Other contributing factors are heart burn, leg cramps, hunger. With lack of sleep, it’s difficult to focus on anything properly.
Another explanation about pregnancy brain involves changes in the brain of pregnant lady to prepare for the arrival of baby. Scientists say that its nature’s way of ensuring that mothers are neurologically prepared to bond with their babies after birth.
Ufff…! When it will become proper…? Although pregnancy brain can last into postpartum period. Your recalling capacity and thinking ability will eventually get better with time. Make time for sleep or rest even during the day time if possible. Sometimes the simply lying down with closing your eyes also gives rest for your brain which helps you reduce the brain fog.
Eat omega-3 rich foods including pregnancy safe fishes like salmon, eggs, walnuts, and cranberries can keep your brain sharp and improve overall brain function.
Happy Pregnancy… 🙂
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