Pregnancy amnesia is a kind of disorder which gives rise to forgetfulness or short term memory loss during pregnancy. Read on to know more about it.Pregnancy Amnesia is a symptom which few women face during pregnancy. Amnesia is forgetting things or disability to keep track all the events which happen in day-to-day life. This symptom is caused because of certain stress during early stages of
pregnancy. The reasons for pregnancy amnesia can be due to iron deficiency. It appears very obvious, as this amnesia is more visible in the form of short term memory loss.
Pregnancy amnesia in most cases results in frustration. Though it bothers a pregnant woman, it is actually a normal phenomenon. It can also be called as a fog or a thin layer on the memory of the pregnant women. We can consider it absolutely ok or “all is well” situation. This is only a passing stage and everything gets to normal soon after the
delivery.
Reasons for Pregnancy Amnesia
- Iron deficiency in pregnant women
- High stress levels during pregnancy
Symptoms of Pregnancy Amnesia
- Short term memory loss
- Fog in memory power
- Forgetfulness
- Frustration
We can also say this is a good turn, as the bond between the mother and the child becomes more intense. As the pregnant women are always in the thoughts of an unborn child, it strengthens their emotional relationship.
Pregnancy amnesia becomes visible and obvious with certain daily chores. For example, when a pregnant woman forgets her house keys, car keys, phone numbers, important appointments or even forget what she cooked last night. In most cases pregnant woman and also the family is worried. It also puts her into embarrassment. As this phase in pregnancy is temporary, it does not require any medical attention. According to some
old wives tales Pregnancy amnesia also happens more often when the women is carrying a girl child in the womb.
As the brain functions differently during pregnancy, it is heavily taxed and over burdened.
These symptoms of amnesia during pregnancy are more in first few months. This condition in
pregnant women is also called “Pregnancy brain”. This amnesia in pregnancy is absolutely normal and highly temporary stage in life. Still, as this condition worries in most cases, a pregnant woman needs to follow certain steps to plan this unavoidable stage in life.
How to Handle Pregnancy Amnesia
Here is how pregnant women can deal with pregnancy amnesia.
- Relax your brain and exercise your brain with few readily available mind games like, Sudoku, word building etc.
- Reading also is a good exercise for the brain
- Take deep breath and sit calm at frequent intervals
- Maintain proper timetable and fixed location of things at home to avoid frequent embarrassments
- Develop the habit of maintaining a hand book or a pocket diary
- It is wiser to avoid electronic gadgets, as it may develop more radiation levels in the body
- Place a small scribble pad or a notice board both at home and work place, where you can list the day’s events or things to do
- Instruct things which can be done by others, this will surely reduce stress levels
- Talk to people and enjoy your pregnancy amnesia
- Do not panic when people around make you feel embarrassed for your forgetfulness
- Avoid medication for amnesia at all costs, instead bank on few good, healthy and regular food intakes
- Eating foods rich in iron like lentils, green and leafy vegetables will minimize this condition
- Maintain systematic sleep timings through which brain muscles relax
- Strongly believe that you get back your perfect memory soon after the delivery
Pregnancy amnesia can be smoothly handled when the family is understanding, helpful and allows a pregnant lady to maintain healthy food and sleep habits.
The best part of pregnancy amnesia is it develops a healthy bond between unborn and the would-be mother as the mother cannot think of anything else other than her baby.
What are the causes of pregnancy amnesia? Is pregnancy amnesia risky? What kind of symptoms can be observed in women coping with pregnancy amnesia? Discuss here.