Starting in second trimester, I found myself being a little more absent minded than usual. Of course I immediately chalked this up to being "Pregnancy Brain." Though; to be honest, I think I've been so focused on other things that my absent mindedness was a result of stress. I didn't think much of it until the day I couldn't find my cat.
Sugs is a people cat. He's affectionate and for the most part stays wherever people are. If he sees an available hand or lap he is on it within seconds. This excludes my lap however, he hasn't sat or shown any interest in sitting on my lap since I became pregnant. During our move we brought the two cats over to explore the new house before all of our stuff arrived. Sugs was the first cat to figure out the little holes in our kitchen that are perfect cat holes. The vent is below the cat hole so the area stays nice and warm.
So one evening I had begged and pleaded with Rob to make his famous amazing cookie bars, which he won't share the recipe for. He reluctantly agreed and started working away at them while I sat in the makeshift dining room we had put together for the night.
As I sat in the lawn chair I realize that I haven't seen Sugs in a while. So I call out to him, "Sugs! Meow!" I hear nothing, but of course it's a bigger place than we've had before and I'm sure he's exploring. "Have you seen Sugs?" I ask Rob.
Rob being the more logical one steps back from the counter and looks in the cat hole. "He's in his spot."
"Ok, good." I was relieved because he seemed to like his little cat hole.
"We should make a sign that says, 'Sugs' Spot' and hang it above the cat hole," Rob suggests. I laugh as it's a reference to Sheldon Cooper on Big Bang Theory.
Five minutes later, completely forgetting the conversation we just had. I suddenly look around and say, "Sugs?"
Rob stops what he's doing in the mixing bowl, looks over at me with a confused look and says, "He's in the cat hole."
"Oh, Ok..." It then dawns on me that we had this exact conversation five minutes earlier. "I'm sorry, we already did this."
"It's ok dear." Rob says laughing.
While Rob puts the cookies in the oven we start talking about a different subject. While in the middle of that conversation I start looking around the main level. Concern and confusion both sweeping over me.
"What are you doing?" Rob asks.
"Where is Sugs? Have you seen him?" I ask, and just as I finish saying it I gasp and cover my face with my hands while exclaiming, "What the hell is wrong with me?"
"Sweetie, it's ok. You have pregnancy brain. Blame the baby," Rob says as he wraps his arms around me.
"I don't like it!" I complain then look to my stomach, "Baby you are grounded!"
The sudden confusion and concern that sweeps over me. The constant concern that I am forgetting something important. Feeling scatterbrained often, like I've suddenly come down with ADD and the worst case known. The not remembering why I walked into the kitchen, or seeing something that needs to be accomplished and forgetting about it until later when I see it again. Cursing myself for forgetting to switch loads of laundry when it was on my brain the first time. These are all the signs of pregnancy brain and it sucks!
I found an article about the reality of pregnancy brain on WebMD. Pregnancy brain can be caused by several factors including; lack of sleep, priority changes, stress, and even the rise in progesterone and estrogen. To read more you can visit the article here.
In order to combat this awful side effect of pregnancy I started making a stronger effort to not forget things, of course little post-its or writing notes on scrap pieces of paper were not working. I decided to use my phone, I always know where it is, I can utilize many features to keep track of things easier, and I can share things easily with Rob so he's always in the loop in case my mind forgets.
First, I keep a calender. I have found that Google Calender works well because not only can I keep my activities straight but I can share the Calender with Rob so that he knows what is coming up as well. Anything that I cannot forget immediately goes into the phone while I am thinking about it. I don't take an appointment card, I enter the next appointment in my phone as I'm scheduling it. If there is something I need to do on a certain day, it goes in the phone with a reminder so I know to do it.
Second, I keep lists. Another app I have found useful is the ColorNote app. I use it to put questions for the doctor in. I track my glucose levels and what I'm eating so the doctor can see them. I use it for grocery lists. If I find myself needing to accomplish a task, like getting the flu shot I make a note.
Third, I check my calender and my lists daily and sometimes multiple times throughout the day. By keeping lists I can forget about certain things, like what I need at the store, until I am actually in the store. I can forget questions for the doctor until I am at the doctor.
These three steps are the easiest way for me to track the little things that I cannot forget. I don't overdo it by downloading app after countless app. By only using two apps, I make it easy on myself to check only those two things. Only needing to remember two things is pretty great. It leaves my mind available for anything else that comes up. Like address change forms, pre-registering at the hospital, finding a pediatrician, researching for my blogs, and sleeping.
I don't know what other pregnant women will tell you, or what their significant others will say for that matter, I can tell you pregnancy brain is real. It's frustrating to constantly feel like you are forgetting something. Add extra hormones and mood swings to the mix and all hell starts to break loose. The only advice I can give is this, if you are suffering from pregnancy brain know you are not alone. Partners, please be patient, one of you has to be. Friends and family, after a little bit of time and once hormone levels return to normal your loved one will also return to normal, at least I hope so.
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