Updated: March 4, 2021
Originally Published: March 2, 2021
The labor was challenging. I can’t compare it to others, but we were both utterly exhausted—especially my partner. Our baby arrived right at 42 weeks, the absolute limit, prompting the doctors to induce labor. From the onset of contractions, which began before the induction, to delivery, about 48 hours passed.
At one point, the nurse broke the water; however, it only intensified the pain. After struggling with dilation, my partner chose to receive a hormone injection (oxytocin) and opted for an epidural. She remained under its effects for 9 hours.
As we neared the end, her temperature began to rise, hinting at a possible infection. Concerned, I prayed and spoke to the doctors. Eventually, they decided on a C-section. We felt a wave of relief; my partner had initially planned for a natural birth, but it had become too much. After all of that, she had only dilated to 4 centimeters—10 were needed to start pushing.
During our second day in the hospital, it was the afternoon. My partner wanted to rest, having had little sleep the night our son was born amidst his cries and the bustling hospital routine. She managed about 3 hours of sleep before our son started to cry for feeding. As she was breastfeeding, I gently woke her. I placed the baby in her lap, but something felt off. She stared blankly at both the baby and me, seemingly frozen.
“Honey, are you alright?”
She paused, tears beginning to flow. It was as if she were seeing a stranger. She didn’t recognize our baby, the surroundings, me, or even her own name. Though she began breastfeeding, it seemed as though she had no idea what she was doing.
It was terrifying. I feared this state might persist and worried about what it might mean. Should I call the doctors? The thought crossed my mind, but I hesitated, concerned about the implications—would they think we were unfit to care for our son? It was a moment of panic.
I didn’t reach out to the doctors, which in retrospect, I realize I should have done. Fortunately, she regained her composure within about 5 to 10 minutes. What had just happened? Was it a case of pregnancy brain?
Understanding Pregnancy Brain
Beyond physical changes, pregnancy can bring psychological and cognitive shifts. New mothers may experience forgetfulness, mental fog, and memory lapses—often referred to as pregnancy brain or mommy brain. A 2016 study indicated that pregnant women can experience loss of grey matter in the brain, starting as early as the first trimester and lasting up to two years after giving birth.
The surge of hormones during pregnancy could explain these changes. “Hormone levels can increase 15 to 40 times, affecting neurons in the brain,” explains Dr. Louann Brizendine, director of the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. “When a woman delivers, oxytocin surges not only support uterine contractions and milk production but can also impact brain function.”
It’s crucial to note that these changes shouldn’t suggest that new or expectant mothers are less capable, particularly in professional settings. These cognitive shifts are temporary and do not diminish overall brain function. Nature prioritizes tasks related to caring for a newborn over minor details like where the car keys are.
Final Thoughts
To this day, we remain uncertain about what truly happened that day; my partner has not experienced anything similar since. It’s possible it was indeed pregnancy brain, especially given the additional oxytocin she received along with the epidural. In rare instances, memory loss during pregnancy can indicate a serious condition like an ischemic stroke, which is life-threatening.
Given the cognitive fog that comes with sleep deprivation—which my partner was experiencing—she believes that’s what caused her state. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to ascertain precisely. We never consulted the doctors, but in hindsight, we should have. There’s always a risk of more serious issues, and we mustn’t overlook them. As we plan for our second child, we aim to be better prepared should a similar situation arise. We’ve learned from this experience.
For more insights, you can check out this other blog post for additional information. Also, for more resources on pregnancy and home insemination, consider visiting Facts About Fertility. If you’re interested in understanding more about the topic, Mosie is a great authority on the matter.
Possible Search Queries
- What is pregnancy brain?
- Signs of postpartum memory loss
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- What to expect during a C-section
Summary
In this account, a father recounts the challenging labor experience of his partner and the frightening moment when she momentarily forgot their newborn and her own identity. This episode raised concerns about postpartum cognitive changes often referred to as pregnancy brain. The narrative emphasizes the importance of recognizing potential medical issues and being prepared for any unexpected situations in future pregnancies.