Pregnant and feel like you’ve completely misplaced your brain? Same, girl. Same.
“Pregnancy brain” sounded like a joke before I got here—but now that I’m deep in the third trimester, I can confidently say it’s very real. And I’m not just talking about forgetting your keys or wondering if you blew out that candle (which happens way more often than I’d like to admit). I’m talking about full-on mental fog. Like, can’t-form-a-complete-sentence-some-days kind of fog.
The Third Trimester Humbled Me
In the first and second trimesters, I felt a little forgetful here and there, but nothing wild. Then the third trimester hit, and it was like my brain just… clocked out.
I work in a professional setting where marketing jargon is basically a second language, and lately, I’ve been struggling to speak like an actual adult human. Whether I’m in a meeting or just chatting with a friend, I find myself stumbling over words, losing my train of thought, and feeling like I’m operating at a first-grade level. It’s frustrating—and honestly, kind of embarrassing.
What Does Pregnancy Brain Feel Like?
You might expect some forgetfulness during pregnancy (hello, hormones and fatigue), but this is next-level. I’ve always been the type to live by my phone calendar and digital to-do lists. It’s how I stay functional. But now? If I don’t write a thought down immediately—I’m talking within seconds—it disappears into the void.
Case in point: yesterday, I remembered I needed to take out fish for dinner four separate times. I wrote it on a sticky note to remind myself to add it to my to-do list… which I then threw away. Without writing it down. Because of course.
The Scariest Part?
One of the most unsettling things about third-trimester brain fog is how it affects everyday tasks—especially driving. I’m carrying precious cargo, and if I’m even slightly tired, I genuinely feel unsafe behind the wheel. I already wouldn’t call myself a five-star driver, and now I second-guess everything I do on the road.
Mental fog + fatigue + physical discomfort = a combo that no one really warned me about. But I wish they had.
How I Cope with Pregnancy Brain and Mental Fatigue
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. This is hard—emotionally, physically, and mentally. But I’ve found a few things that help me reset when my brain feels like it’s short-circuiting:
- Take a walk. After a draining meeting, frustrating task, or moment of forgetfulness that sends me spiraling, I literally get up and walk—whether it’s a stroll to my car or a few minutes outside with the pups. Fresh air is magical.
- Step away before the spiral. If you feel your brain spinning out, take a second. Your body is doing so much right now. It deserves breaks—and so do you.
- Be kind to yourself. You’re growing a whole human. That’s incredible. So if you mess up or forget something (again), it doesn’t make you any less capable. It makes you human.
You’re Not Alone in This, Mama
If you’re in the thick of it and wondering if your brain will ever work the same again—hi, I’m right there with you. Pregnancy brain is wild, exhausting, and sometimes scary. But you’ve got this.
We’re in this together. And I promise, you’re doing way better than you think.
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