This Might Be an Odd Question?

Updated on October 29, 2010
J.R. asks from Happy Valley, OR
29 answers

So I am 5 months pregnant and it seems like lately I can't seem to remember much. I forget things I KNOW I know, and I just feel like a complete airhead. I looked memory loss while pregnant up on the internet and everywhere I have looked says this is normal but how normal is "normal". I don't like the feeling that I am forgetting things or already have forgotten things. Is this normal or should I talk to a doctor?

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

NORMAL! I had pregnancy brain loss - BAD! I would sit and stare off into space at work wondering what I was supposed to be doing. Luckily my boss was understanding and my job was not a 'critical' one.

3 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

My girlfriend who was already a bit of an air head was OUT of CONTROL on her forgetfulness... we would get off the phone and 5 min later she would call me back forgeting she just talked to me.

2 moms found this helpful

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

its been a while since I have been pregant....... But, my friends having babies........they complained a lot about this. I think it is normal.

2 moms found this helpful

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D.R.

answers from New York on

i turned into an idiot when i was pregnant, it scared me. i called my girlfriend who had a baby, and i asked her what happened, that i used to be pretty smart. she just said "yup." and i asked her if it would get better after i had the baby. "nope" .. sorry. BUT you will be able to spot a dime on the floor across the room, your peripheral vision will be amazing, and your instinct for germs and weirdos will be on high alert. and you will remember lists of foods and dates and appts and sizes and weights and all kinds of stuff. its like your brain knows it needs to switch to mom things.

5 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Normal! Gotta love hormones (rolls eyes).

For peace of mind however... here's a trick I learned in psych.

If you forget where you put your keys, that's normal. If you forget what keys are used FOR, that's not normal. (aka quick "Am I getting Alzheimer's or other form of dementia?" check)

5 moms found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Fort Smith on

Totally normal!!!! I know it seems like it might be really bad, but that fact that you could still type and opperate a computer, I think your just fine. I would probably get a jurnal or a small date book that you can keep with you at all times so you can write down important stuff so you don't forget. Just don't forget to write it down. LOL, sorry.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Sounds normal to me. I'm 67 and was concerned for several years that I was forgetting things. And learned that is normal. I asked my doctor about it as well as anyone who would listen. Once I relaxed and stopped paying so much attention to it, my memory improved. Anxiety/stress increases memory loss.

My brother asked his psychiatrist about memory loss and he suggested that for the most part, people with dementia aren't so concerned about the loss. I've found that to be true with an aunt and a friend. Usually people who are aware and concerned are OK. Some medications increase memory loss and stopping the medication will improve memory.

Google memory loss to learn the many reasons for it to happen. I think you'll be relieved.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

My friend called me Dory from Nemo during my third pregnancy. I was so out of it and could not remember anything! Don't stress!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Have you ever heard someone say that old saying that "babies eat braincells"? This is what they are talking about! It happens to all of us, and although it does get better after, I still notice a difference in my memory now from before I had my kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Aren't hormones lovely? It's probably a good thing that you'll forget some pregnancy related things, especially the pain of natural labor and delivery. But it is ever so frustrating when you can't recall something you know you should be able to.

Just today while playing Ann Landers here on mamasource I couldn't find the right word for what I was trying to say, thought I'd go back, then left it out entirely...and my goodness did I receive a lot of flaming responses. Later I went back and checked and my message was completely opposite of what I had intended to say...ugh... and now I wonder how often I miscommunicate to others something other than what I meant. So forgetting words is just one small part of the 'normalness.'

1 mom found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Seattle on

Not only is it normal, there is really nothing that you can do about it. Sorry but I do feel your pain. This is my fourth pregnancy and it happens every time. I have to write everything down or I forget it. I doesn't seem to go away right after the baby is born either but I think then it is about sleep deprivation.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Seattle on

Totally normal and unfortunately it continues after pregnancy, too - probably because you're soooo tired with the newborn! Anyway, someone joked with me that your memory returns when your children are teenagers, then you become sharp as a tack, ready to deal with them. I sure hope so! :-)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Don't worry--the brain cells grow back after the birth--eventually! I think it's normal. Write stuff down--that helped me.

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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

I locked myself out of my house once while I was pregnant... was looking right at the keys when I locked n shut the door too! LOL

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Totally normal. We have always lovingly referred to this as "Baby Brain". It is annoying so just make notes to remind you of the things you need on a regular basis. Or will need for a special occasion and put them in obvious places. The best idea is to put the notes on your phone that way you always have them with you.
Good Luck

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Don't worry-- this is so typical it's hardly funny. I've been a writer and poet for years, yet when I was pregnant, I *couldn't* find the words and took up watercolor pencils and drawing to express myself. I have a nice little book to look back on now. It took a while after my son was born to find those elusive-yet-everyday words, but now that he's three, its come back. One friend of mine, who's got her doctorate, jokes on occasion that having her two girls has made her "brain damaged". With all the restless nights after we have our babies, the sleep deprivation makes us feel goofy and stupid, but the facility of memory does return!

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

J. you are in the second trimester. It is time for a bit of forgetfulness.
It'll go away just like morning sickness did.
I dropped everything out of my hand at that time when I was pregnant. I broke things I treasured.
Don't worry everything will change in a few weeks. Meantime keep lists on the refrigerator door. You at least know where that is at all times.

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A.M.

answers from Portland on

Yes, it's normal. But you know yourself best. If you are truly concerned, make sure to mention it next time you go in to see you OB.

Congrats on baby though!

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Hahaha, unfortunately...yes, it is normal! While I'm pregnant, I call it "preggo brain". Then once you have the baby, it is called "mommy brain". I figure we kind of make out here - we can get away with forgetting things for a couple of years!

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H.G.

answers from Portland on

Your brain physically shrinks while you are pregnant. You will be fine after the pregnancy.

C.

answers from Hartford on

LOL, yes it is normal. I was about 5 months when I went to see my OB/GYN. She asked how things were going, we talked about several items, she made some recommendations, and then she asked if there was anything else. I told her that I was having trouble multi-tasking at work like I used to do. She laughed and said, that you will just have to get used to - sorry. After the first year of slepplessness, it did get a little better, but never the same.
Good luck,
C.

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J.N.

answers from Seattle on

Hee hee...that reminded me of when I was pregnant! LOL It's very normal. Carry a small notebook with you - it will be your new best friend and will help you get through your day. Your memory will get better, but it's never 100% after having kids. :)

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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Very normal! I was told that the reason for it was the Omega-3's that you take in go to the baby for brain development, instead of to us to remember things! And it can take years to recover the lost Omega-3 levels, especially because we (in general) do not eat a diet high in fish, ect. Now, I am NOT saying this is fact! But it sure made me feel better to know that there could be a reason I was so dumb all of a sudden! I can relate to the poster who said "I used to be smart" :) I started, and still do, take a Prenatal Omega-3 supplement in addition to my prenatal vitamins. It may just be in my head, but I seem to be able to think a bit more clearly when I remember to take it! :)

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B.C.

answers from Joplin on

I have referred to this quite frequently as "Momnesia" it is Quite normal...in fact you get to the point where I am ( I have 3 children) where you feel like you literally have no memory left at all at times. I was very absent minded when I was pregnant...I think it is because we have a lot on our minds = ) You can always ask your doctor anything...he or she will put your mind at ease.
Thoughts and prayers for a happy healthy pregnancy, delivery and healthy baby = )
B.

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

Totally normal. I was the most organized person prior to becoming pregnant. I worked at the time and always had my head on straight. But, when I got pregnant, I had to resort to carrying around a notebook everywhere I went to write things down because if I didn't, I would forget it almost immediately. I had to make lists of things that needed to get done so that nothing was forgotten.

It really is normal, so don't worry. Once you're out of the "newborn lack of sleep" fog, things will start to get better. In the meantime, try to get as much rest as you can, drink lots of water and try to make sure you're eating well. This won't eliminate the problem entirely, but it sure does help! Best of luck and congratulations!

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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

Normal. You'll get your mind back for a while after you adjust to sleepless nights, and then you might lose it again when your kiddo closes in on age two... oh wait a minute... I think I'm talking about myself...

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N.A.

answers from Seattle on

It is normal to become forgetful when pregnant and breastfeeding. And, only you can know what you experience and how extreme it is. If you think you are well, and you eat well, and function normally, I wouldn't worry. Hormonal changes can be more extreme than needed when you eat processed food full of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides as well as additives. Stick to real organic food in its original form and you will feel better and have a healthier baby.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yep... that happens with pregnancy.
THEN, once you do have baby/kids... it still happens....
Really.

I used to be sharp as a tack, super organized, super photogenic memory... and since my pregnancies... it has not come back!
They say... that overly multi-tasking.. does that. Hence, once you have kids... your brain, gets overly tasked...

And with pregnancy, the hormones I guess... does that. Who knows...

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J.M.

answers from Medford on

Always, always talk to your doctor when you have a question. It may seem silly sometimes, but that is what they are there for. Even though they may have heard the question a thousand times and it is nothing to worry about, they have answers for you :)
Now to your real question, I have three kids. My youngest is 15 months old. I thought that I was lossing my mind. I could not think of words. I would call my husband to ask for something and forget what it was as soon as he got on the phone. We would joke and say that I was giving brain cells to the baby!LOL But my understanding is that you have so many things on your mind that your brain litterally gets rid of unimportant things. (I saw this on the show "The Doctors.") You have concerns about raising a child, eating well, how this new edition will fit into your family ect. . . picking up milk at the store not as important. I am sorry to say that my normal brain function took about 8 months after Chace was born to return. But it did come back. Hope this helps.
J.

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