Pregnancy brain, characterized by short-term memory loss or forgetfulness, affects many expectant mothers due to hormonal surges and lack of sleep. Doctors recommend sleep, a balanced diet, exercise, and hydration to reduce its effects. The condition is temporary and should decrease after delivery.
Pregnancy brain is a condition that affects expectant mothers, usually during the first and third trimesters. Sometimes known as placenta brain or baby brain drain, the condition is usually characterized by short-term memory loss or forgetfulness. Some medical experts say pregnancy brain is a myth, but evidence shows that many women have experienced this condition.
Studies linking memory and pregnancy are limited, and their results have been patchy. However, pregnant women have said they experience frustration as they try to remember the simplest daily activities. Some pregnant working women have become emotionally distressed because the condition has left them unable to work effectively.
It is understandable that women’s emotional levels vary greatly during pregnancy. Hormonal surges, combined with the fact that pregnant women have to eat for two and can get less sleep, contribute. Much of the mother’s time is taken up with thoughts of the baby, so some forgetfulness is to be expected.
Increased levels of the hormone progesterone are thought to be a culprit in the pregnancy brain. Progesterone can often cause headaches, mood swings, and fatigue. The increase in progesterone is often greatest in the first trimester and may be the reason for more forgetfulness.
The brain effects of pregnancy vary greatly among women. They can be as simple as forgetting phone numbers you’ve been dialing for years or putting toilet paper in the fridge. An expectant mother has returned home only to find she has moved into a previous home she hasn’t lived in for six years.
Doctors have devised some key steps that can help pregnant women reduce the risk of brain pregnancy. Sleep is a key factor in maintaining a healthy mind. A pregnant woman should try to get the same amount of sleep she had before the pregnancy. Eating a balanced diet is essential to keep both mother and baby healthy. Doctors recommend that pregnant women take prenatal vitamins to ensure their intake of vital vitamins and minerals.
Exercise is also essential for maintaining circulation, decreasing tiredness and making the mother feel mentally healthier. Another tip is to drink plenty of fluids. When pregnant women become dehydrated, their electrolytes can be disrupted, causing memory impairment and confusion.
The good news for pregnant women is that the pregnancy brain is only temporary. It should start to decrease once the baby is born, although some mothers claim that the pregnancy brain can last for some time after delivery. However, with most of the mother’s time spent caring for a newborn, this is only to be expected.
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