V
violaine
Guest
My husband and I usually both got the fuzzy part pretty badly and it generally passed around month three. My brain was also wonky during pregnancy, but I also felt shitty and exhausted for most of the time I was gestating, so that likely didn't help.
I wasn't aware of the brain growth thing, but it makes sense that it would see some growth since you are, in effect acquiring and incorporating a lot of new skills and behaviors.
It would be interesting to know if the addition of weird hormones or some other factor contributes to it or if it just happens when you are in a situation that requires a lot from you suddenly and with little wiggle room. Like, it might be similar for soldiers in combat . . . although that seems like it would be a lot worse plus more traumatic but I'm not coming up with a better comparison right off the top of my head. I'm sure there are better ones.
For me most of the difficult part of parenting was over around the time the youngest got to second grade. It's probably a little earlier when one's kids are neurotypical, I'd think. Unless you are doing the helicopter parenting thing, which I'm not.
Edit: I think your brain kind of glosses over the childbirth thing or something after it's over. I don't think there would be very many second children if it didn't.
The sleep deprivation is a killer, lol. I actually have fond memories of it because it was such a crazy time.
I'm so glad I found other, more accurate studies. I just felt like something about that characterization was off. I feel razor sharp if I get enough sleep and I love being as busy as I am. Not sure where I get the energy.
Agree about the purpose of the daunting aspects of childbirth fading from the mind pretty quickly. The mind is amazing. I took Lamaze classes. We practiced breathing techniques for pain relief. Our partners caused us pain while we were breathing a certain way - then applied the same pain while we were breathing normally. I couldn't believe my mind could block that much pain. (I can't wait to have another one or two. I want a house-full like you!)