Will I be Able I use my Brain during PG- Help me!

lablover78

Ladies, I am only 8w and I literally cannot use my brain for more intense work activities like writing legal briefs which is absolutely necessary to my livelihood. I can handle the day to day tasks and client interactions but when I sit down to write something it’s like I’ve never done it before and cannot remember any of the legal principles that I typically rely on in my practice. Please tell me this will get better? Is this typical? 

Polythene Pam

It’s truly a thing, ha! My friend is an accountant and found a true article how “pregnancy brain” is real. I’m a graphic designer and my main client actually guessed that I was pregnant due to so many silly errors. I now have a 4 year old and 3 month old and I wish I could say it’s better but lack of sleep makes me very forgetful. First tri is the most tiresome, maybe drink a coffee or tea and take breaks to rest when needed. Takes a lot out of us to grow these little babies!! 

sarcasticowl

@lablover78 LITERALLY exactly the same as you right now (I'm 8w4d). I've been asked to take on a couple new projects at work and if my husband didn't also work at the same university in a department that can help me complete some of the tasks, I would be doomed. I often wonder if it's just that I'm so worried about everything all the time so I am unable to concentrate, or if pregnancy brain really is a thing this early. 

hottietoddy

I have it too really bad! I'm interested to hear what others with more experience think. My therapist thinks it's coming off zoloft, but I can feel my brain shutting down. 

****TW****
It's similar feeling to when I lost my dad, after that trauma my brain really shut down.  I can't remember many things and couldn't then either.  It's got to be a real thing, but may be related to stress and trauma also vs just straight Pregnancy.  Stress and trauma from dealing with past IF and transitioning to Pregnancy and hoping all will be well.  My therapist says it is the brain's way of protecting us and getting us to take it easy.

I struggle with being less productive as well. 
Sometimes people have to pare back at work or take on less.  I've had to notify my clients of this over past year, without divulging details. It is hard and some are jerks and I do my best to let those go or tell them to take a hike. If they can't understand then they aren't the right people to work with. (Also easier said than done).  (((  Hugs!  )))

TravelingCouple

Pregnancy breaking is so real. I'll be mid sentence and words will literally leave my brain! It's so strange.

lablover78

@hottietoddy you may have something there. I tend to push myself beyond my limits regarding work and since my BFP I feel like a slacker- lots of relaxing and “it will get done when it gets done” so maybe it’s a good thing....but a girl still has to pay her bills lol! I was able to get through my short brief for the most part at about twice the normal time. 

persnickity

@lablover78 For me, I was able to do everything I needed for work and keep track of everything, but I'd forget words. Like I knew what something was called and couldn't remember it. I had a few moments of forgetting things at home. Like forgetting to put something back in the fridge. Post partum brain with being sleep deprived was worse!

I'm a firm believer in that your brain can only remember so much and do so much in a given day. Try to make the basic stuff into routines. The more you do the same thing, the less you have to think about it. You have so many things you're thinking about with pregnancy, that your brain just decided it didn't have room for legal briefs.

[Deleted User]

I made several silly errors today at work, and it was only a half shift!  Luckily all fixable things I caught, but this does not bode well for keeping it under wraps...  :#

PoeMasque

Yes! I had the forgetting words and people’s names (as in I forgot my OWN middle name once!), it started super early in pregnancy, thankfully it seems to have gone away now that baby is here.....it’s been replaced by crankiness due to lack of sleep though, I think my fiancé preferred the forgetfulness hahaha. 

hottietoddy

Hi again I'm back to say Pregnancy brain is now becoming another more real stresser for me. I can't even remember the projects I'm supposed to do. I'm completely skipping over them, missed a meeting and forgot to set up a meeting.  I'm trying to tell myself it is ok, all I can do is my best. Started a list of projects in my phone and just going to go down it every day now once in morning and once in afternoon.  I will add to it if anything new comes up.  I can't trust this brain anymore! I put things in my calendar but then just forget completely if it passes by! 

Sorry for rant but a little upset----
I'm a mess, but I have to tell myself baby is more important than people's landscape designs!  There will always be other clients and other jobs. Spring is coming and is going to be very challenging for me as people are very aggressive and rude. 

I read an article just now about how businesses will put women in the position of having to take less pay, or quit to protect themselves and baby from stress. It is a real problem and they say there are small accommodations that can be taken as an alternative to avoid such extreme measures. Well if people want me to work for them this spring they are going to have to be accommodating or I quit and I'll find someone who will be! 

Holls214

I can completely relate. I manage about 20 people throughout the State and I forget things all the time. I swear the note pad and calendar are my saviors these days. Brain fog is real especially with this cold. 

lablover78

@hottietoddy it’s an adjustment for sure but  I know we both know babies are more important. Hang in there, I’m trying to do the same!