So familiar, so true. Just the other day, I found myself with a pen and paper during a rare moment of quiet at work, trying to jot down some thoughts about my struggles with memory loss. And, surprise! I can’t find those notes anywhere now.
I reached out to my coworker, Mia, to help me locate my scribbles. She found a mound of blank sheets but nothing written down. I swear I penned that post! It was witty and relatable, or at least I think it was—if you find humor in the challenges of mental lapses. But honestly, I can’t be blamed for this. I’ve heard that each pregnancy steals away some brain cells, and they don’t grow back. With five kids in tow, my cognitive decline is practically a given. It’s a miracle I can remember their names on some days.
In the beginning, it was just a slip here and there, like mixing up my kids’ names. Those were the golden days. Now, I have to recite all their names aloud before landing on the right one, reminiscent of my own parents. (And my partner is now gasping—calm down, sweetheart!)
I often walk from one room to another, only to forget my purpose by the time I arrive. It’s becoming increasingly concerning, especially since I work as a nurse in the ER. I’ll head into the medication room and have no clue what I intended to retrieve. Just the other day, I found myself putting wristbands on patients not once, but twice in a row. Focus is key!
Just yesterday, I experienced a mini panic attack when I couldn’t recall whether I had paid my electric bill. Most of my bills are automated, but for some reason, I canceled the automatic payment for my electricity. After a quick call to the utility company, I learned that yes, I had paid it, but I had zero recollection. It’s unsettling.
To combat this memory chaos, I rely on a large calendar on my fridge to keep track of appointments. If it’s not written down, it might as well not exist. Even when it is noted, I sometimes forget the details as soon as I step away from the calendar.
I’m considering taking ginkgo to help boost my memory, but let’s be real—what are the odds I’ll remember to take it? Don’t even think about leaving me a message; I’ll likely forget it before it becomes important. I used to pride myself on remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and even the small stuff, like whether I’ve applied deodorant. Yes, that’s a real struggle. Some days, I’m convinced I smell amazing because I might apply it multiple times. Maybe the days when people give me space are the ones I forget altogether. That’s a theory worth investigating—if I can remember to do so!
At the end of the day, it’s not entirely my fault. My kids have effectively drained my brain cells. I understand why pregnancy leads to memory loss; if we didn’t forget, who would ever want more than one child?
So, in a way, memory loss can be a blessing. At least that thought provides some comfort—when I remember it.
For more humorous takes on parenting, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. And if you’re exploring options for starting a family, Make a Mom offers reputable at-home insemination kits, while Progyny is a fantastic resource for all things pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the phenomenon of “pregnancy brain” is a very real experience for many parents, especially those navigating the chaos of raising multiple children. While it may feel frustrating, it also serves as an amusing reminder that our minds are often occupied with more important matters—like our kids!
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