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you asked...

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Is so-called “pregnancy brain” a myth?

Re: Is so-called “pregnancy brain” a myth?

The Bump Expert

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), there’s no scientific research that proves you get flakey during pregnancy. But even if “pregnancy brain” is just a myth, there are still tons of women who complain of feeling more forgetful or spaced out during their pregnancy. If you’re experiencing memory lapses or periods of forgetfulness, chances are your fellow moms-to-be can relate. So what’s to blame? Hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and/or the distractions of spending a lot of time thinking (and stressing) about a new baby are the likely causes. Save your sanity by writing things down and making lists, along with snacking regularly and getting lots of rest. Also, be sure to take your prenatal vitamins -- they contain ingredients that help boost mental sharpness. Don’t worry, it’s annoying, but it isn’t fatal or permanent.

Jenna Joyce | June 01 , 2009 2:04 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I'm so glad that this isn't something I just made up! I've done so many stupid things since I got pregnant- stopping at GREEN lights for like 5 minutes and then realizing... GO!....Anyone else having these problems or am I going to just chalk it up to the fact that I'm blonde AND pregnant!?!?

NKTSmiles | February 01 , 2009 9:18 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I'm definitely experiencing "mommy brain" as well. The other night my husband was trying to talk to me about a certain topic, and I had to tell him I had no idea what he was talking about. Then he told me that I was the one who had originally told him about it and he was trying to continue the conversation from a few days before! I couldn't remember at all! That's not the only time either...

jn&jn | February 01 , 2009 7:26 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I forget where I park my car and I forgot to go to a friend's baby party. I've NEVER done that.

poofy32 | February 02 , 2009 12:46 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I finally have an excuse for forgetting to call people back!

smarie1984 | February 05 , 2009 7:13 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

Oh thank you so much! I needed to hear this!oxoxMommy Jung

Mrs.JungBaby | February 05 , 2009 9:34 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I have forgotten many things at work lately. I'm sure my boss thinks I'm an airhead even though he knows I'm pregnant! I just took over a new position here and I keep making mistakes and taking forever to get things done. But luckily he is VERY helpful and assures me that everything is fine and not to worry.

GirlyGirl514 | February 06 , 2009 7:59 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

oh this is so real. I was going to Costco and I was just going in real quick and had my dog in the car. I even put down the windows for him and remembered everything for him. But as I was walking into Costco I went to double click the lock on the remote (to make sure nobody takes my puppy-lol) and I coudln't find my keys. So I went back and not only were they in the car, the car was running!

kjflowers | February 06 , 2009 5:05 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I too left my car running a few months back when I was 2 months prego... AND the doors were locked!!! DH has to come bail me out with an extra set of keys! I cried! :) It's funny NOW!

MrsCoach | February 07 , 2009 7:26 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I am so glad that this is "normal." I mean I am starting to get on the borderline of ridiculous here! I am sure my boss thinks I'm an idiot. I can't even keep my days straight!

Emma915 | February 13 , 2009 9:33 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I am sadly so happy that others are experiencing this too. I have "forgotten" grocieries at the store twice in the last month. I actually walked out of the store and left them. The second time, I couldn't even remember if they made them outside of the store or not. The second time, I got home, realized what I had done and was practically hysterical. I can't remember this being this bad before. Can't wait for my brain to return...

cmtaylor83316 | March 02 , 2009 12:47 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

There actually is evidence that says that the increased blood flow puts pressure on your brain and is what causes this. It's totally real.

Vegas Grown | March 05 , 2009 10:38 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I just so happened to catch an episode of Oprah here a few months back and this was on of their questions. Actually, they had a doctor who said mommy brain is real! He said because babies use the mommy's omega three fats, it takes them away from the brain cells and temporarily shrinks them. A few months after pregnancy they tend to go back to their normal size. I'm not sure if this is true..but hey, it's Oprah! :)

BrittneyShae | March 06 , 2009 9:39 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

i am so glad i'm not the only person who feels like that i thought i was going crazy

| March 11 , 2009 9:23 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

OMG!!!! I have the WORST case of baby brain. I feel like I am dumb half the time. I love that I am not alone in my forgetfulness!!

operaapril | March 26 , 2009 8:10 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

Ladies, sorry to burst the bubble but the forgetfulness lasts till about 2 months AFTER birth. I found that my forgetfulness was even worse after the baby was born... go figure =P

nelcen02 | March 27 , 2009 1:31 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

Once I found out i was pregnant it explained a lot. It gets to the point now that I sometimes to forget to write down what I need to do or remember. It's INSANE!

ker0704 | March 30 , 2009 5:01 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

LOL today, I got a massage in class (in Massage Therapy school), and my partner said, "OK, I'm going to have you start face-up." I got undressed and called her over and was like, "Did you say up or down?" It had been about a minute and a helf

buggerfly12 | March 30 , 2009 7:42 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

Oh my! It's nice to know I am not alone! I can walk two stes to pick up something and completly forget what I was doing. I am surprised I remember my name sometimes! haha!

| March 31 , 2009 9:22 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

im so happy to read this! the other day i drove all over town on my lunch break only to realize i had no idea where i was going or why i even left in the first place. i also have my desk phone number written down because a customer asked me for it and no numbers popped into my brain at all! im was completely clueless! i've given my number out hundreds of times! i hope i get my brain back after the baby is born!

misseshoneysett | March 31 , 2009 10:43 AM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

This will make you feel better, I paid all of our bills twice last month. My husband is like Hunny I love you but we don't want to give them money we. He is like please stop.

ebhagat | March 31 , 2009 12:13 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

I forgot to add meat to a sandwich for my lunch. So I am definitely experiencing that

Berjoh108 | April 01 , 2009 8:32 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

My husband came home the other day and asked me to put a pizza he'd bought in the oven. I put it in alright...cardboard and all! 350 degrees for a half hour + cardboard = not recommended!!

LindsE143 | April 03 , 2009 7:04 PM

re: Q: Forgetfulness during pregnancy?

The other day I tried to open my car with my work badge instead of actual keys....

Mrs.Enfuse | June 10 , 2009 6:40 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

OMG...I have this so bad! It slowly got worse as the weeks went on...I am now 13 weeks and so bad my work picked up on it because a few things slipped past me that normally wouldn't have. I also can't remember anything around the house. My husband and I hope my brain comes back after the baby is born.

JerseyGirl82 | September 22 , 2009 5:07 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I prefer to think of it as donating brain cells to have a smart baby. My hubby can vouch that I get terrible preggo brain!

meeshybee | January 22 , 2010 11:59 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I sat at the stop sign for a good min or two because I thought it was a stop light. woops. And I got into my car drove a mile down the road without my books I needed for school.

beautiffxfull | February 23 , 2010 9:34 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I was going to add to this thread but I forgot what I wanted to say ;)

honeykbee | March 11 , 2010 9:36 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

The other day I was going to take the dog with me in the car to run some errands, which I do on a frequent basis. Ten minutes later my boyfriend calls to let me know that I didn't put the dog in the car and he's running around the neighborhood. I'm a mess!

Hambly | March 11 , 2010 10:22 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I have turned the wrong way out of my neighborhood just headed to work numerous times. It has been taking me a while to realize that I am headed in the opposite direction! I forget to call people back, I forget why I am calling people pretty much instantaneously, etc...I am soooo scatter brained (I call it the "pregnant stupids").

aprilandmatt08 | March 11 , 2010 10:34 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Went with my boss to pick up lunch about 2 mos pg. Thought the car next to me was left running & thought "how stupid!". While waiting, I went to get my keys & realized I didn't have them. My boss found them in MY still-running car. Now who's stupid? I forget to take the lists with me, if I even remembered to make one. I'm also slower & miss more stuff at work. I forgot to lock up my dogs when leaving for work one day. Got about a mile down the road before it dawned on me!

Ginger98 | March 11 , 2010 10:56 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I always have called it "Baby Alzheimer's". I was in the store with my husband yesterday and he was telling me an easier way to make something and I couldn't understand and instead of throwing a 3 year old type tantrum I started yelling at him. I felt so bad! But I was frustrated that I couldn't understand him.

BrieanaDavison | March 11 , 2010 11:06 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I totally have this. My husband just thinks it's an excuse, but I'm so forgetful and spaced out now. I'm only 10 weeks, but dang. I just can't think straight.

maydlec | March 18 , 2010 12:29 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

My mind used to be a steel trap, but I can't leave the house now without forgetting at least 1 thing.

PikaPikaPikachu | March 18 , 2010 11:21 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Haha maybe it is completely unrelated, but since I have become pregnant I have the most vivid imagination, I do on a normal day, but it has become a million times more vivid in the last few weeks. That and I dream the most crazy dreams and I can remember them so well. Crazy things when your pregnant.

Spazkat1220 | March 20 , 2010 8:41 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Actually a woman's brain shrinks 8% during pregnancy, one of my weird fact books!

linkay | November 01 , 2010 7:42 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Scientific or not, since I got pregnant I amthe dumbest person I know!! I went to the gas station and forgot the gas, I drove past my own house, I forgot the name of my own bank just yesterday, I went to the store to get ingredients to make stuffed shells but forgot the shells, I completely LOST a brick of cream cheese, I still monthes laster have no idea where it is, I used it and then it was gone!! It was never even a wise tale that I had heard of before, I knew about the cravings, and the emotions (both f which I have only had on a couple occassions) but man o man, And I have been sleeping like a champ, so it's not from my lack of sleep, and I take the prenatals and stuff, but I just hope it all goes back to normal after the labor, but the outlook isnt so good, cuz my mom has never been able to complete a sentance since I can remember she's always been scatter brained lol

DezLMT | November 30 , 2010 1:39 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I am 14 weeks pregnant and this morning I had my first encounter with baby brain. I normally get up at 6:30am to go to work but I was tossing and turning all night that at around 6am I thought I would just get up and slowly get ready. I took a long shower, got dressed, did my hair and makeup (had morning sickness in between). I went to my kitchen to get some breakfast when I noticed the clock on the stove said 5:55am. As it turns out, I woke up at 5am and got ready for work! needless to say i'm exhausted!

sher2011 | February 11 , 2011 3:21 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I have also been experiencing "mommy brain"... My excuse is that "My baby ate my brain"! :)

MelisaMarie123 | May 07 , 2011 2:59 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I have the same problem at work. I keep forgetting the most basic things, but only one person there knows I'm pregnant! So I feel like such an idiot when I forget to do stuff and I think people are starting to get mad about it. I'm fairly new at my job too so at least I can blame it on that, but I still feel so bad for forgetting everything!

Teenmom7 | June 28 , 2011 9:28 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

So I'm not sure if pregnancy brain is what I went through yesterday. My period hasn't started yet, and its a lil past the time my period was supposed to start. I had the worst day yesterday. I kept forgetting things, like how to fill out a check, grabbing things, where I put papers, I ran a red light (never done that before, it was like I forgot my head! Even bumped the back of the truck into something at work. I have never done this before or felt like this before people! Its not normal at all for me. So IDK.

TabbyRose | August 19 , 2011 5:31 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Last week, I got out of the car and hit the remote door lock as I walked away. The thing made this long beep, and I thought, "What's its problem??" I walked back to see that I had left the door wide open! My husband got a kick out of that one. Then this morning, I was making an almond-butter-and-jelly sandwich, and I went to put the jelly and almond butter jars back in the refrigerator. I could find the jelly but not the almond butter. Turns out I had apparently put the almond butter in the sink when I put the knife in the sink. At least the sink wasn't full of dirty water!

mariposita1401 | October 07 , 2011 8:56 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I had a major melt down when I realized I forgot to go to my hypnobirthing class. I talked about it all day with my man and apparently he's suffering from pregnancy brain as well!

animccollum | November 18 , 2011 12:48 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I had a couple of friends who were pregnant at the same time as I was; a couple of months ahead of me. They had been talking about this "baby brain" thing and I could not relate because I had not experienced anything like that. It wasn't until I hit my 6-7th month that I realized, it could be happening to me. I was on my way to my prenatal appt, parked and went to get out of the car when I realized...I wasn't wearing any shoes, just my socks, lol. On top of that I have noticed I am becoming extremely clumpsy. It has amazed me how many things I have dropped and broke.

kacynmoon11 | November 27 , 2011 3:42 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I rode the bus halfway home from work before I remembered that I had driven that day. I thought that kind of stuff only happened on t.v.

keliy | January 13 , 2012 8:08 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

glad there are more...i forget things that ive said just minutes before or what someone has told me. ive stopped at green lights as well, and dont remember anything i say. im so afraid that people think im being rude because i cant remember things theyve said. there also some instances where i forget people...but like family friends, or recently the receptionist that i see everytime i go to the dentist. i felt stupid when i asked where i knew her from because i knew..but didnt at the same time. anyways i cant wait to see my little one.

Graicelynn | February 27 , 2012 8:12 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

Thank goodness for this. I thought i was going crazy and bringing my husband with me. I even forgot to shut the backyard gate the other day and our dog got out. My poor husband had to run down the street chasing her.

slbabja | March 04 , 2012 10:23 AM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

lolol...All of these posts made m laugh...Im not sure if Im preggers or not but, I was thinking about this morning when I threw my old phone cover in the toilet instead of the trash and didn't realize it until I saw something shiny floating in the toilet..lol....Or I forget to flush the toilet alot. My hubby was talking to me about something and I just completly zoned out couldn't remember what he was talking about. He just said nevermind

kwait2beamommy | April 12 , 2012 6:41 PM

Q&A: Is pregnancy brain real?

I never thought that I would experience pregnancy brain. I have a great memory and almost never forget a name, an appointment...ANYTHING. Then, the other day, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I was on the phone, so I chose the self-checkout. I finished checking out my items, took my bags, and left the store. I went to my car and sat down to finish my phone conversation before driving. I looked over a minute later and a grocery store employee was knocking on my window. He asked me if he could see my receipt because someone saw me walk off without paying. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO PAY FOR MY GROCERIES!!! Thank goodness I didn't get arrested!

LiloneTK | April 15 , 2012 8:41 PM