Even in uncomplicated pregnancies and births, "brain fog" and memory issues can be common. "Mommy brain" can be very common due to the physical and hormonal changes that happen after a pregnancy, lack of sleep, adjusting to new parenthood—it is a lot.
But we do hear reports of worse than typical memory issues after preeclampsia and related conditions. Researchers have looked into it, and found the most likely cause is post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If you feel your memory issues are more than typical, or even if you are unsure about what is normal and what isn't, we encourage you to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling emotionally as well as physically. Preeclampsia is a traumatic experience, and many of us deal with some combination of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There are treatment options to manage the trauma so it does not become overwhelming.
Therapy is often the most helpful. A trained professional can help you process what you have been through, and teach you coping strategies for when moments of anxiety or sadness or anger come up. Medication can also be a useful tool.