R.C. Anderson
Pregnancy Scatterbrainedness - damn, I forgot what I was going to write
December 1st 2006 00:35
"Memory is a crazy woman that hoards coloured rags and throws away food."
Austin O'Malley.
When I was pregnant with my son, my second child, I suffered from one of the strangest pregnancy symptoms; that of Scatterbrainedness.
Okay, so Scatterbrainedness isn't its official name but the phenomena of pregnancy forgetfulness is well documented and, if I want to call it Scatterbrainedness, then I will. Anyone who read my post on Obsessive Compulsive Pregnancy Disorder will realise that I like to make up my own names for certain, popular disorders.
Come on … humour the pregnant woman.
One of the more embarrassing examples I have of my Scatterbrainedness from that period is the time I got some frozen meat out of the freezer to defrost for that night's meal.
I took the meat out and opened the cupboard for a plate to put the defrosting meat on. Not so strange, I hear you remarking. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the plate out of the cupboard after putting the frozen tray of meat on it.
Well, imagine my surprise when meal time came along and, for the life of me, I couldn't work out where the meat had gone. I was so sure I'd got something out of the freezer that morning.
Vaguely peeved that I couldn't cook the meal that I'd planned, I had to quickly whip up something else instead. Once the meal was ready I opened the cupboard to grab some plates to serve up and, well, yes you've guessed it, there was the meat, waiting patiently for me.
We were living in the Northern Territory at the time and the poor dead cow had become rather … warm.
"… there's no such thing as a tough child; if you parboil them first for seven hours, they always come out tender."
W.C. Fields.
Sorry, couldn't resist that quote. How about this one … it's probably more appropriate:
"Red meat is not bad for you. Now blue-green meat, that's bad for you."
Tommy Smothers.
There doesn't seem to be any scientific reason behind pregnancy Scatterbrainedness, it just seems to happen. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, ”The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time."
This kind of ties in with a remark made on one of my favourite TV shows, What's Good For You?, which has just finished it's run for this year. Last Monday's episode discussed a number of common pregnancy ailments, Scatterbrainedness included. An expert consulted on the show, Dr Andrew Child had an amusing and interesting theory:
"In terms of positive reasons for the vagueness," he stated, "some people argue that it means that people will go back and get pregnant again because they don't remember how bad it was the previous time."
Damn … he could be right. Our old mate, Friedrich Nietzsche also said:
"The existence of forgetting has never been proved. We only know that some things don't come to mind when we want them."
There are, of course, foods that have been shown to aid memory so maybe it's a good idea for me to start stocking up on these pretty soon. Pregnancy Scatterbrainedness is sure to hit sooner or later.
The herb sage is reputed to be an excellent memory stimulator and research has supported this olden-day belief. Sage is related to peppermint which is also believed to stimulate awareness in the brain.
Okay, those are both on my list.
Whole wheat bread has an antioxidant, ferulic acid, which helps to prevent cognitive decline and apples have quercetin, another antioxidant that preserves brain function. Oily fish, of course, are high in omega-3 fats, essential to the efficient functioning of the brain and oranges, red capsicum and red grapes are all beneficial as well.
Finally, for now, kidney beans are also going on my list. Fibre supplies energy to the brain, folate improves alertness, brain function and memory, and iron and thiamine (vitamin B1) are essential for neurotransmitter function, aiding attention and memory.
Now, all I have to do is remember to take my list to the shop and I'll be laughing.
"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch."
Orson Welles.
Austin O'Malley.
When I was pregnant with my son, my second child, I suffered from one of the strangest pregnancy symptoms; that of Scatterbrainedness.
Okay, so Scatterbrainedness isn't its official name but the phenomena of pregnancy forgetfulness is well documented and, if I want to call it Scatterbrainedness, then I will. Anyone who read my post on Obsessive Compulsive Pregnancy Disorder will realise that I like to make up my own names for certain, popular disorders.
Come on … humour the pregnant woman.
One of the more embarrassing examples I have of my Scatterbrainedness from that period is the time I got some frozen meat out of the freezer to defrost for that night's meal.
I took the meat out and opened the cupboard for a plate to put the defrosting meat on. Not so strange, I hear you remarking. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the plate out of the cupboard after putting the frozen tray of meat on it.
Well, imagine my surprise when meal time came along and, for the life of me, I couldn't work out where the meat had gone. I was so sure I'd got something out of the freezer that morning.
Vaguely peeved that I couldn't cook the meal that I'd planned, I had to quickly whip up something else instead. Once the meal was ready I opened the cupboard to grab some plates to serve up and, well, yes you've guessed it, there was the meat, waiting patiently for me.
We were living in the Northern Territory at the time and the poor dead cow had become rather … warm.
"… there's no such thing as a tough child; if you parboil them first for seven hours, they always come out tender."
W.C. Fields.
Sorry, couldn't resist that quote. How about this one … it's probably more appropriate:
"Red meat is not bad for you. Now blue-green meat, that's bad for you."
Tommy Smothers.
There doesn't seem to be any scientific reason behind pregnancy Scatterbrainedness, it just seems to happen. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, ”The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time."
This kind of ties in with a remark made on one of my favourite TV shows, What's Good For You?, which has just finished it's run for this year. Last Monday's episode discussed a number of common pregnancy ailments, Scatterbrainedness included. An expert consulted on the show, Dr Andrew Child had an amusing and interesting theory:
"In terms of positive reasons for the vagueness," he stated, "some people argue that it means that people will go back and get pregnant again because they don't remember how bad it was the previous time."
Damn … he could be right. Our old mate, Friedrich Nietzsche also said:
"The existence of forgetting has never been proved. We only know that some things don't come to mind when we want them."
There are, of course, foods that have been shown to aid memory so maybe it's a good idea for me to start stocking up on these pretty soon. Pregnancy Scatterbrainedness is sure to hit sooner or later.
The herb sage is reputed to be an excellent memory stimulator and research has supported this olden-day belief. Sage is related to peppermint which is also believed to stimulate awareness in the brain.
Okay, those are both on my list.
Whole wheat bread has an antioxidant, ferulic acid, which helps to prevent cognitive decline and apples have quercetin, another antioxidant that preserves brain function. Oily fish, of course, are high in omega-3 fats, essential to the efficient functioning of the brain and oranges, red capsicum and red grapes are all beneficial as well.
Finally, for now, kidney beans are also going on my list. Fibre supplies energy to the brain, folate improves alertness, brain function and memory, and iron and thiamine (vitamin B1) are essential for neurotransmitter function, aiding attention and memory.
Now, all I have to do is remember to take my list to the shop and I'll be laughing.
"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch."
Orson Welles.
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
You know, if my lecturers had been this funny whilst trying to educate me I would have retained so much more knowledge...
I love the way you write.
A.H....are you a journalist as well? I remember reading elsewhere that you had to go because you were writing a post on Wellington and I'm assuming that's Wullungten NZ not wellington boots or it could be and you were doing a fashion piece...
Okay, so that's why I put the cornflakes in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard...hadn't had peppermint tea for a while...
Memory is something that makes you wonder what you've forgotten to do.
Not mine. Don't know who said it...maybe I just forgot...
I'll be back my Caramella Sister...I saw you at our K.L.'s place...isn't that lovely, her new post? Oh shoot, I'm getting teary again...I gotta go...am such a slacker today, have deadlines and must put up another post...a non-rugby one....something I wrote last night gave me an idea...up, up and awayyyy...
Speak with you soon wonderful woman.
Dusk
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
I certainly has pregnancy brain, which became a running joke at work. People would ask me for files I'd already given them, emails I'd sent etc. My boss was fun.
"Where did you put it?"
"Put what?"
"You don't remember?"
"ummm"
"You had it a minute ago!"
And I'd slink back to my office and wonder what the hell it was I'd apparently lost. Then he'd fess up to messing with me.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks for the wonderful comments and the great story.
It can be terribly disconcerting at times, can't it, especially when other people are intent upon having a big giggle at your expense.
Thankfully, the only work I do now is home based so I only have my bloke and children to deal with. Then again, they can often be my worse critics, and the worse scammers:
"mum, can I have my pocket money?"
"I gave it to you already."
"No you didn't."
And I'm buggered if I can remember whether I gave it to her or not.
Thanks for stopping by.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
No, there's no journalist in me ... not one bit. Must admit, I'd like to write feature articles for mags or papers but no-one has recognised my amazing wit and informative, yet entertaining writing. No-one from a newspaper / magazine anyway.
Just people such as yourself and, in many ways, it is your opinion that matters so much, yours and Kits and my other readers here on Orble.
Then again, I only earn around $1-$2 a week on Orble ... maybe I should rethink my priorities ...
I write articles for websites on finance, travel, dogs, mobile phones, etc etc etc. Terrible pay but at least I'm getting some financial reward for my writing.
And, yes, I didn't have to stoop so low as to write about Wellington Boots ... even I have some pride.
K.L. made me all teary today, that wonderful Cherry Ripe Apple Magnolia Writing woman. How beautiful is she, to say things like that. But so true, all of it.
I think both of you are two of the most inspiring and amazing Girls I have met in a very long time.
I'm looking forward to reading your next post ... waiting with baited breath.
Yours in MOSTEST UnLtd
A.H.
P.S. Which publication do you put your name and words to, in the real world?
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Good to see you taking such an interest in the brain.
Loved the W.C. Fields quote.
And the rest of it, of course, see how cruel they can be expecting pregnant females to work.
In attempting to move forward, it seems the world is going backwards.
katyzzz
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I've been expecting you to visit, knowing the great interest you have in the brain and its functions.
Maybe it's your art and brain teasers that are inspiring me to write more about this interesting subject.
I love the Austin O'Malley quote ... it just conjures up wonderful pictures in my mind.
Thanks, as always, for dropping in.
A.H.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
True story.
I also write about fashion and did a satirical piece called 'If The Issue Fits' on shoes and what they say about you...and came across wellies as the shoes as the latest in Farm Chic!
Apparently Sarah Jessica 'But Please Just Call Me Sarah Jessica' Parker wore them and all good little fashion victims everywhere followed suit.
Oh My God! You earn more than me...it's so unfair... Yeah. Obviously we're not on Orble for the paycheck but as I said on katyzzz' post (and you and K.L. said this too), that's not why I'm here.
Andrea...I will PM you some mags to contact and send your writing to...of course, you can also email them and have your site name at the ready.
You are too fabulous to not be read on a mass scale. I know that you are a novelist and journalism may not be where you want to go but...what I was trying to say earlier is that you have a knack girl...a talent...a wicked sense of humour and skill in being able to weave information with humour is such a way that it gets through amid the laughter..and the info sticks.
You and K.L. are my bright lights in this virtual big city.
In my heart too.
Speak with you soon...I really have to knuckle down and get one article finished...deadline looming! Who am I kidding...I'll be back and forth...
Dusk
My pine/ocean/cinnamon is back soon...have to get all work out of the way so that we can play....
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
With my first pregnancy I was still working. One morning I was going to work and commented to my husband how relaxed I was that morning and nothing was stressing me when it hit me. I was meant to be at an appointment with my boss and a journo for an interview in 15 minutes. The meeting place was 45-60 minutes away.
Curse you baby brain.
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Well, I may have exagerated a bit ... last week I earned all of $0.76. Every penny counts, as thay say.
Thank you for all your support and wonderful comments. From a person already in the professional writing business it means such a lot to a poor, struggling writer. Any help in finding an editor interested in taking me on would be very much appreciated. I may be an aspiring novelist but I enjoy writing (and reading) of any kind.
Oh, and I knew I should have bought a pair of Wellies last Winter ... should have trusted my instincts.
You are a true friend, my G&T rugby-loving chocolate liquor Sister.
A.H.
P.S. Play hard. You deserve it.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Oh the Scatterbrainedness of Baby Brain strikes again.
It has a habit of rearing its ugly head at all the wrong times, doesn't it. I hope your boss understood.
Thanks for dropping in.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks. There are some great quotes about memory, I had trouble choosing which ones to use in this post.
I must admit, my memory isn't perfect at the best of times but it was truly terrible when pregnant.
All I could do is grin and bear it. Everyone else just had to cope! I'm sure it's going to be even worse this time ...
A.H.
Comment by LaurenD
And I didn't realize kidney beans had folate... as one preparing for this form of scatterbrainedness, I'm happy to chow down!
LaurenD
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks for popping by.
Congratulations on your forthcoming Scatterbrainedness. Try the fish ... even if it doesn't help, it'll taste really good.
Pregnancy Scatterbrainedness is a great excuse for forgetting to do the housework as well !!!
A.H.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I remember many a time that I put something in the microwave and totally forgot it was there, half defrosted meat, intended breakfast hot chocolate found at 6pm, etc.
I also remember the lady who told me about a day she had sitting at the bus stop. She was looking at this tree in front of her, thinking 'I know that tree has a name, what is it?'
It drove her absolutely nuts. It was a palm tree!
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I'm always pleased to lighten people's days. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Ah yes, the dreaded 'thieving microwave'. Funny, I've got one of those too.
I've also forgotten, in my time, to put coffee into my cup before pouring on the water, then wondered why I have a very milky looking coffee!
Love your comments.
A.H.
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
Okay, okay, okay, okay....
First things....what the HELL is this about actually earning money on this site??
(Me making funny, disbelieving noises)
$1 a week? Sometimes $2 a week?????
I am seriously missing out here...I have not seen a cent yet...
But, then again, I found my MOSTEST sisters...
So that's worth way more. That is priceless.
(Am I making you two cry again??? Huh? Huh?)
Alright, heading round the place now....going for a walk along Orble...
K.L.
xoxoxo
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I soooo can't wait to hear those funny, disbelieving noises in real life. The make you sound so cute. Either that, or you could just sound insane ... I'll just have to wait and see.
It does take a while for the powers-that-be to get around to paying you any commission but you can check how much you should be due on the stats section of your Orble login page.
I wouldn't get too excited though, from what I've seen most Orblers aren't earning a great deal.
We all do it for the love!!!!!
As your beautiful post details, and you so eloquently put in your comment here, there are much more important things than the money ... like the Sisterhood.
Priceless ... abso-bloody-lutely.
Have a lovely night full of bubbles my dear Cherry Ripe.
A.H.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
great post!
to add to Omalleys words... until she wears them.. the coloured rags I mean...*lol*
..my pregnancy Scatterbrainedness never did go away for very long and now it is being compounded by pre-manopausal complicatedness... which means I now set out for the laundry in the a.m. and may not even get there by 6pm... all the while sure I had something to do...and on that note... before I forget completely... I loved the way you held it together for this post... you did well and it was proven that Nietzsche acutally said all those incredibly sane things... just before they locked him up!
*chuckling away to my self*
thanks for an inspiring read...
Lilla...
Comment by Sarah White
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
I don't recall having scatterbrainess too badly, in fact my memory became better, I wonder what that says about my memory beforehand?
Comment by RV
rv
I am single and never had the chance to have a baby yet although I had my share of those funny moments when my sister was pregnant with her third child. Do you think scatteredbrainedness is communicable?
Just asking...
RV
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I must admit, I've found that the more children I have, the longer the Scatterbrainedness takes to disappear. This time I'm expecting it to hang around for quite a while after the birth. Unfortunately, it is a fact (not a medical fact, just a made-up pregnant woman fact) that Pregnancy Scatterbrainedness never completely disappears and can manifest itself into pre-menopausal complicatedness.
A sad but on-going problem for many sufferers!!!
Thanks for the lovely words. I enjoyed writing this post and having a bit of a giggle at some of the quotes I found.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Ah, so you were a sufferer of pregnancy anti-scatterbrainedness. Wow, that's pretty rare, you know.
Unfortunately, you may find that your memory just goes downhill from here.
Warn your loved ones ... this could be messy!!!!!
Thanks for coming by again.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
It's nice to meet you.
Interesting question. The communicability of Scatterbrainedness?
You'll be pleased to hear that it's not catching, however when there is a recent family history of the disorder the other female family members should watch out ... it does have a tendancy to run in families.
Be careful ... be very, very careful ...!!!!!
Oh and by the way, it's actually quite pleasent once you accept it. Great excuse to forget to cook dinner or clean the house or do the ironing or ...
Thanks for dropping in.
A.H.
Comment by Anonymous
HAHAHAHAHA!
I can now see why moms have complicated roles.... I hope I won't be that forgetful when it comes to handling my baby just like what happened in my recent post....
RV
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Now you have me intrigued. I'll head over to your place and take a look.
A.H.
Comment by RV
rv
GUESS WHAT?!? I FORGOT TO PUT MY ORBLE TAG! NOW I AM PART OF THE SCATTEREDBRAINEDNESS SOCIETY!!!! BEWARE I AM WITH VIRUS!!!
YEAH, I AM ACTUALLY A NEWBIE IN THIS ORBLE WORLD...I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE POSTED A LOT OF COMMENTS ALREADY OR NOT...BUT SOMEHOW, I AM TRYING TO LEARN LIKE A BABY ON IT'S WAY TO THE NEW WORLD...
RV...
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Welcome to the Scatterbrainedness club and welcome to Orble. I'm sure you'll grow to love the friendliness and camaraderie as much as I do.
A.H.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
...just wanted to add that in between scatterbrainedness and menopausal complicatedness there is a huge contributing factor involved in ensuring both (a) neither ever goes away, and (b) continues seamlessly throughout a woman's life... I'm talking about interruptedness... a very serious thing, that eventually means it's victim can never hold a thought for more than 10 minutes ever again... nor reach the depths of true meaning often... or for long... In fact to avoid the children using their indomitable 'deep thought' radar from interrupting me, I have purged prolonged periods of private deep thought from my being when they are around... for a previously prolific writer it is genocide...*l-ing ol then crying-ol by turns* I'm still convinced though that one day soon, they will all leave me alone again to think for hours and write and write and write...serious things… it's the only hope an interrupted writer has to keep them going.... I allow these thoughts to go deep, but they are reserved for Goddess worship days of strewn rose petals, long salt baths and hang the 'Do Not Disturb, Drinking Warm Fudge' sign on the bathroom door. ..*chuckle*
Lilla...
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Unbelievable ... you took the words right out of my mouth!
Gone are the days of uninterrupted solitude ... interruptedness hit me years ago and is threatening to stay around for a long time to come. Currently, my situation of Scatterbrainedinterruptedness is gouging a huge hole in my brain.
Bring on the rose petals, bring on the salt baths and ... oh, hold on, I'll be back in a tick ...
Damn that interruptedness.
Where's my warm fudge drink (with marshmallows on top)?
Damn, I'm being interrupted again!!!
A.H.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
...gotta go too, kids to organise.... there was something else...umm... I've forgotten now...
.............................................c ya....
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I know I had something else to say to you but ... but ... damn, I just can't remember what it was.
Hang on ... who are you?
A.H.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Raging hormones? Ooooo, I'm sure I've got some of those too.
I'll leave the teenage daughters to you for now, though. Mine will be there soon enough. No point asking for trouble, after all.
A.H.