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Many mothers of newborns feel like they're living in a "mental haze," study shows. Credit: ThiagoMartins, Flickr
A study released last week of mothers of newborns reveals that many felt as though they were living in a "mental haze," according to an article in Australia's Whitsunday Times.
The Queensland University of Technology study was looking at the impact of postpartum fatigue on the everyday functioning of new mothers.
The study found lifestyle changes, interrupted sleep, lack of routine and high levels of unpredictability led to fatigue, which could at times be overwhelming, the newspaper reports.
"To put the danger of fatigue into some sort of perspective -- if someone is awake for 17 hours they have a driving performance similar to that of a person with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent," Dr. Kerry Armstrong tells the paper.
"And if they have been awake for 24 hours it is 0.1 percent, or two times the legal driving limit."
Alarmingly, most of the 24 mothers in the study reported having recent "near misses" on the road, Armstrong says.
The study also contradicted earlier studies that claimed postpartum fatigue usually subsides after six weeks. Armstrong's study indicates the tiredness can last up to 12 weeks.
Have you ever driven in a "mental haze?"
Related: Sleep Difficulties - What Causes Fatigue: Chronic Fatigue
The study also contradicted earlier studies that claimed postpartum fatigue usually subsides after six weeks. Armstrong's study indicates the tiredness can last up to 12 weeks.
Have you ever driven in a "mental haze?"
Related: Sleep Difficulties - What Causes Fatigue: Chronic Fatigue
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-03-2010 @ 5:14PM
Daddy Brad said...I agree and the cumulative effect over time really can do a number on your ability to drive or do any complicated tasks. Our third child is just starting to sleep through the night so I am fresh off the sleep deprivation train. We filmed several DadLabs.com videos on sleep depriving colic when my 3rd child was several weeks old and I was a zombie. I was probably not the best driver during these days either.
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