Memory loss and pregnancy
As your pregnancy progresses have you found that your brain power seems to regress? Dawn Gay investigates the 'preg head' phenomenon
Thoughts of baby-feeding regimes, childcare and nursery colour schemes can mean the brain is stretched to full capacity during pregnancy. As a result, phone numbers are forgotten, calendar dates missed and misplaced car keys are never retrieved.
Research suggests that between 50 and 80 per cent of pregnant women experience memory loss or 'baby brain', as it is sometimes known.
Stress and memory loss
Pregnant women are often dealing with everyday pressures, such as running a home or working full time. But add to this the anxiety of bringing a new person into the world and the nine months can be quite overwhelming.
Dr Sandra Wheatley, a social psychologist and spokesperson for The British Psychological Society explains: 'A pregnant woman's head is so busy and buzzing, especially during the first pregnancy.
'There is a psychological theory that there is only so much space in the brain. If you are thinking about a new or important thing, like having a baby, you will be pre-occupied and will end up using brain space. You will be distracted by the wonder (and discomfort) of what is going on in your body.'
Louise Sumser, a primary school teacher, has a toddler and second baby on the way. She adds: 'I have been very forgetful ever since I had my two year-old as well as while pregnant.
'I put this down to being sleep-deprived and having to think about too many things at once. I am now 'with child' once more and having lots of lapses. I forget I have said things and repeat myself a lot. I was at a restaurant with Mum and Dad celebrating their ruby anniversary and toasted them twice within about two minutes. That was quite scary.'
Working through memory loss
Working through pregnancy can prove a struggle for women who usually thrive on pressure, if memory loss occurs. Dr Wheatley says: 'We still feel the need to be the best we can and women try hard to maintain high standards during pregnancy. But the additional pressure on the inside takes up head space instead.'
Lauretta Fox, who works in marketing, is in her second trimester. 'My forgetfulness is increasing by the day,' she admits. 'I just had a piece of paper in my hand to file away in a particular drawer but by the time I opened the drawer I had forgotten why I was opening the drawer and what I was going to file. I'm only 18 weeks pregnant. It's amazing that I still remember where I work!'
1 | 2 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
