Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal storm, fatigue, and most of all the whole range of emotions related to the expectation of a baby, are the most common causes of concentration problems in pregnancy. What to do if you are distracted during pregnancy and forget about everything?
Over the order, which you normally carried out in two hours, you unexpectedly spend another day and nothing comes to your mind … In the store you planned to buy only potatoes and milk, and you came home with strawberries and s alt shaker … The keys are lost somewhere, You didn't validate your ticket … Such situations happen to many women inpregnantand luckily they usually don't have any serious consequences. After all, potatoes can be bought by a partner, the keys will eventually be found. And at work? You don't have to worry about the decline in form. A wise boss knows that a lack ofconcentrationis a temporary state, and appreciates that you are now more sensitive, emotional and creative.
The brain cares for pregnancy
Although this mechanism has not been thoroughly investigated yet, it is known that the human brain, sometimes completely beyond our control, independently decides what is really important and does not allow the awareness of information that it judges unnecessary or harmful. You just don't get overloaded. When you're pregnant, her primary focus is on her. When it is still hard for you to believe that you will become a mother, when you try to imagine what your baby and your life together will be like, and especially when you are worried about how you will deal with everything, there is no place and time to deal with everyday life. Then your accuracy, punctuality and concentration fail. Don't worry, it will pass.
Concentration problems in pregnancy - hormones are to blame
Everyone has trouble concentrating in new and stressful situations (and pregnancy is just such a situation), but there is a hormone storm behind your concentration problems. It is responsible for most of the pregnancy ailments. Progesterone,pregnancy hormone , cares for the fetus, but not so much for you. You owe him mood swings, such an emotional mess in your head. High estrogen levels are usually good for your well-being, but at the beginning of pregnancy, when you need ithigh, and the concentration is constantly changing, this general confusion makes even trivial tasks difficult to cope with. Over time, however, the body will get used to the new situation and then the brain will return to the right track. Usually, women in their second trimester are at their best.
For concentration in pregnancy - folic acid
Check which products you can find it in!
ImportantA woman who is expecting a baby has a right to be distracted. These are the charms of pregnancy. Demand that others understand and accept this. The problems with concentrating will decrease after childbirth, and will disappear completely after the puerperium period, when the hormones will calm down and everything will return to normal.
Vitamin deficiency in pregnancy
The efficient functioning of the brain is negatively affected by the deficiency of many minerals and vitamins, including potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, selenium, zinc and folic acid. During pregnancy, the demand for some of them increases significantly. The developing fetus is, in a sense, a sweet parasite, so your body usually first meets its needs, and you feel worse. It is therefore essential to properly nourish and take special vitamin and mineral preparations intended for pregnant women. However, it's important to take care of this before you start to have obvious deficiency complaints. Concentration problems are just one of the symptoms of a vitamin deficiency and certainly not the most important. Lack of the necessary substances can adversely affect your and your baby's he alth. Folic acid, i.e. a vitamin from the B group, also known as folate, is necessary for the proper development of the fetal neural tube and prevents such serious diseases as spina bifida or anencephaly. It also protects against premature birth. That is why it is so important to provide it to the body of the future mother in a dose of 0.4 mg a day from the first days of pregnancy, and even better even three months before pregnancy. The stock will not be wasted, because your body also needs folate. It prevents insomnia, irritability and excessive fatigue. Folic acid in the right dose can be found in many over-the-counter preparations (eg Acifolik, Folacid, Metafolin, LINOcomplex Folicum EFAs). Many pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency anemia. This is why your doctor will take a blood test each month to help you identify the problem quickly and start appropriate treatment. When you lack red blood cells, which are responsible for the transport of oxygen and nutrients, not only do you feel worse, but your baby is inadequately oxygenated and weaker. A large deficiency leads to more serious problems and the doctor will take care not to let it happen,prescribing special preparations with iron (eg Ascofer, Biofer). When your body lacks calcium, you become weak, you have trouble sleeping, and you may experience painful muscle cramps. It's hard to count on your brain wanting to focus on your daily chores. Preparations intended for pregnant women (eg Falvit, Prenatal) should protect you against calcium deficiency. However, if you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or problems with blood clotting, your doctor may recommend you to use special preparations with a high calcium content. Do not reach for them yourself and do not change the prescribed dose. Calcium interferes with the absorption of iron, zinc and magnesium, which you also need, so proper treatment is possible only under the supervision of a specialist. Painful cramps, which usually occur in the third trimester, also cause a magnesium deficiency. This element also has a huge impact on your mood and restful sleep. So if, in addition to concentration problems, you have a mood swing and trouble sleeping, magnesium may be the culprit. Talk to your doctor about it, he may recommend taking appropriate preparations. Note: If you feel nauseous or have difficulty swallowing a vitamin / mineral preparation, talk to your he althcare professional about choosing one that passes through your throat more easily and has a neutral taste.
Diet during pregnancy
Unfortunately, it is not enough to politely swallow the recommended preparations for the pregnancy to run smoothly and your concentration to be like a razor. The tablets are only a supplement to a rational diet. What's more - not everything you provide to your body is perfectly absorbed and meets your and your baby's needs. For example - the best source of calcium is milk and its products. However, it will not be properly absorbed when your body is deficient in vitamin D. Its ideal source is sun, but in our country during most of the year there is not enough sunlight to meet your needs, sunbathing is not advisable for pregnant women, and sunscreen weakens vitamin production. Therefore, your diet cannot lack its other sources: fatty sea fish (e.g. mackerel, sardine), egg yolks, meat (especially liver). Even if you eat the right amount of lean meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, the absorption of necessary substances is weakened: vomiting at the beginning of pregnancy, preservatives contained in many processed products, phosphorus (a lot of it in cold meats), cola drinks, not to mention stimulants such as like cigarettes, coffee or alcohol. They also have a negative effect on your concentration, form and mental performance. ThereforeIf so far you have not been persuaded to give up on them (despite the knowledge that they are harmful to your pregnancy!), this is another reason to think about it.
Pij for he alth
Even a slight dehydration negatively affects the well-being, takes away energy and weakens the brain - water enables concentration and memory thanks to better blood supply to cells. Your fluid requirements during pregnancy are particularly high - you should drink approx. 2 liters of clean water every day. Don't include coffee, tea, even juice. These drinks often make water leak from the body faster or make it harder for it to be absorbed. Still, medium or highly mineralized mineral waters are ideal for pregnant women. Providing the right amount of fluids is especially important on hot days. Don't wait until you feel thirsty as this is the first sign of dehydration. Always have water with you and take a little sip. Avoid drinking while eating and right after a meal, as this reduces the work of digestive enzymes and nutrition becomes less effective. And if you have trouble getting up in the morning, end the day with a glass of water and start the next day. This is a valuable boost of energy.
Unlimited pregnancy relaxation
Even when it's not hot and your tummy is visibly rounded, it's getting harder and harder to focus on anything other than pregnancy. Your spine is overloaded, your legs may hurt, you visit the toilet more often, and it is difficult to have a restful, nourishing sleep when the "ball" in the front interferes with a comfortable position. The fact that every pregnancy ends sometime - and no later than 42 weeks after it begins - is probably a little consolation. However, rest and relaxation always help: a relaxing bath, yoga, after-dinner nap or briefly lying on the carpet with slightly raised legs. A tasty snack, nice reading, gossip with a friend, a short walk, a relaxing massage or listening to relaxing music will also help you concentrate and take care of your duties. By contrast, trying to focus immediately at all costs is usually a source of stress, which only makes the problems worse. The brain turns off some of its parts with very strong emotions and nervous tension.
What will help you with a lack of concentration during pregnancy?
- You will definitely need any notes or notifications (such functions are available in mobile phones and computer programs). Then you will not forget about an important phone call or meeting, and the to-do list will make it easier for you to go shopping. However, try not to multiply these tasks endlessly. You deserve a protective umbrella now, and you can't expect too much of yourself.
- Don't forget about your safety. Bath noit can be too long or too hot, you also need a non-slip mat and someone at home when you relax in the bathtub.
- Wear comfortable shoes and be careful in the street. You're slower now, so all the more you need to make sure there is no car oncoming when you cross the road. You're not a preschooler to scold you, but you're expecting a baby, and that makes a difference.