Mommy Brains
March 11, 2008
Every Mom has noticed this phenomenon I call “Mommy Brains”. Forgetting a word you’re looking for, leaving the house without your wallet … I always assumed that some of this is probably just the amazing amount of stuff that moms have to keep up with moment by moment.
That, and a bit of God-given amnesia. How else could you explain that a woman could go through pain for hours to birth a baby, then the moment he’s born forget it instantly? (Some even go so far as to turn to their partner and utter, “Let’s do this again as soon as possible!”)
Turns out there may be something to this whole Mommy Brain thing. Researchers have found that Momnesia is real, and due to several factors, including plummeting estrogen levels, sleep cycle changes, and change in focus (mom can notice when something is “off” in her infant before anyone else can).
I am finding that I have a hard time finishing sentences lately. It bothers me a little because I used to consider myself to be a good conversationalist whereas how I feel somewhat insecure because of my inability to find the right word quickly.
What about you? Have you had a funny (or not so funny) Mommy Brain moment? Has Mommy Brain gotten better for you as your kids get older?
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I began having mommy brain when my first was born. It got worse with my second. Along with many other symptoms that something wasn’t right I happened upon the realization that I had a severe overgrowth of Candida.
I’ve seen some reports say that one of the triggers of an overgrowth can be pregnancy…whether that is true I don’t know, but I do know that a serious of issues led to my overgrowth.
When I killed it off I had no more mommy brain … or any of the other symptoms I had experienced. It had gotten so bad that I would end up turning into the wrong store parking lot, would forget what someone had just told me, and I just always felt like I was living in a fog.
NO FUN!
Thanks for sharing your experience Nell. That’s a great point – that sometimes mommy brain can be the result of some underlying condition. I’ve also heard that candida can overgrow during pregnancy, probably because of the increased blood sugar levels as well as the extra estrogen.
Hypothyroidism is another common one that happens postpartum and can lead to a foggy feeling. So glad you found what was causing your symptoms and took charge of your health!