Pregnancy Brain: 5 Ways to Deal With This Very Real Pregnancy Symptom Pregnancy Symptoms First Trimester Third Trimester Second Trimester

Forget why you got up suddenly to go into the kitchen? Can’t ever find your purse? Have trouble remembering your yoga instructor's name that you’ve been seeing for six years now? If you’re pregnant, you can probably blame this all on “pregnancy brain.”

Pregnancy brain is a real thing! A 2016 study published in the journal Nature found looking at MRI scans, that there was a specific pattern of gray matter (brain cells) changes in women who were pregnant. And guess what? Those changes lasted two years after the women delivered their babies.

Now that we’ve determined your brain fog is not in your head, what can you do about it? Here are five ways to deal with pregnancy brain and keep the fog at bay (at least a little):

• Don’t Multitask: Concentrate on one thing at a time. You won’t get an award for cooking dinner, folding clothes and answering those emails all at the same time – so don’t!

• Write It Down: Think of something you need at the grocery store? Write it down! Is there a project you need to complete on a deadline? Write it down! Keep a notebook in reach at home and a small one in your purse. And you know what to do – write it down!

• Practice Self-care: Sign up for a painting class. Schedule time for a quick cat nap during the day. Take a walk at lunchtime and get some fresh air. Try meditation or prenatal yoga to help clear your mind.

• Utilize Your Smartphone: Put your appointments and other commitments into the calendar on your phone. Set alarms to remind yourself of meetings, pickup times and other events each day. There are even apps to help you with meditation and exercises.

• Get Enough Sleep: When you’re tired, it’s hard to concentrate even when you’re not pregnant. But with all the demands on your pregnant body now, sleep is crucial. Be sure to get at least eight hours of shut-eye every day and sneak in that nap, if possible. 

How do you deal with pregnancy brain?

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