Forgetting to do little things.

there are many reports of this happening:

http://www.med.wayne.edu/Scribe/scribe97-98/scribew98/memory.htm

"Memory decreases during pregnancy

Pamela Keenan, PhD, has shown that women in their third trimester of pregnancy experience forgetfulness approximately 15 percent more than the average person. Although decreased estrogen levels have been associated with decreased memory recall, researchers have had trouble finding the reason for forgetfulness during pregnancy, when estrogen levels are more than 1,000 times greater than that of a normal ovulatory woman. Although there have been many anecdotal reports about forgetfulness during pregnancy, few studies have documented this objectively or looked at the mechanisms responsible for this complaint.

According to studies by Dr. Keenan, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences, the third trimester of pregnancy, when estrogen levels peaked, was also characterized by greater levels of reported anxiety and depression. "This was surprising, especially because pregnancy is so often described as a blissful, almost euphoric time," said Dr. Keenan. "In our study, the standard Beck Depression Inventory suggested that a large percentage of the women who were tested may have been mildly clinically depressed."

Curious about the validity of the anxiety and depression measures, Dr. Keenan divided the questions on the Beck index and the Zung Anxiety Scale into two categories: cognitive concerns and somatic (or physical) concerns. The category that women felt most anxious about, especially at the end of their pregnancy, were somatic concerns such as fatigue, weight gain, inability to work, altered appearance, and disinterest in sex. All the symptoms of their depression really had to do with simple physical concerns of pregnancy rather than genuine feelings of sadness, indicating that the Beck Depression Inventory is not an appropriate tool to assess depression in pregnant women. In addition, while both depression and anxiety can adversely affect memory, fluctuations in mood state and memory performance did not coincide in Dr. Keenan's study.

The underlying mechanism for the decline in memory is not readily understood, although many studies are underway to further examine the causes and effects of various factors. One possible explanation is the high level of oxytocin during the third trimester. As Dr. Keenan notes, oxytocin is known to have an amnestic effect, which may contribute to a weakened memory. Another possibility is the two- to fourfold increase in free cortisol levels during the third trimester. There is increasing evidence that high levels of cortisol may adversely affect the hippocampus, which plays a critical role in learning and memory. Furthermore, estradiol and progesterone levels are at their peak during the third trimester, but previous reports indicate an association between hypo- rather than hyper-estrogenic states and impaired memory.

Continuing along similar lines of study, Dr. Keenan is collaborating on several other projects with Wayne State/Detroit Medical Center scientists and clinicians. For example, she and Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg are studying the effects of decreasing hormone levels not only on memory, but also brain structures associated with memory. In addition, Drs. Keenan, Craig Watson and Gregory Moore, are examining both the biochemistry and volume of the hippocampus in menopausal women with and without hormone replacement, as well as women taking medication to decrease estrogen levels. She, Dr. Gregory Moore, and Dr. Matthew Galloway are also conducting animal studies to see if there are similar changes in the hippocampus in rats with ovariectomies.

Dr. Keenan's research has been a welcome relief for many women. "Women are generally very eager to participate in these studies," Dr. Keenan said. "They are glad that somebody is finally studying the symptoms and complaints that they have known about for so long. They are just glad to learn more about their own health."

To help you with remembering - make a list of things that are to be done

In your day - use a sheet of paper, with sections for each patient (use headings:

I & O; PRN medications; IV; dressings; etc) - use it as your guide when doing things

and when charting.

And double check yourself, that way you will catch errors or omissions.

All the best to you.

also check out this :

http://www.babycenter.com/0_forgetfulness-during-pregnancy_236.bc

my wife was very forgetful during pregnancy, but she made a full recovery back to "normal" after giving birth.

Keep up your spirits, get plenty of rest and follow your HCP's recommendations on nutrition, etc.

I MAKE A LIST OF WHAT I HAVE TO DO ON MY SHIFT AND CROSS ITEMS OFF AS I GET THEM DONE. WORKS FOR ME. CONGRATS ON THE PREGNANCY.

I make a list on my brain sheet and cross off the items at the end of my shift. It usually includes clearing PCAs, I&Os, emptying the trash, PRN med follow-ups, double check for new orders, etc.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!!