Fatigue during pregnancy
Fatigue during the first trimester of pregnancy
Hormonal changes in
early pregnancy are likely to be the cause of fatigue. Your body produces more
blood to supply nutrients to your growing baby. Your blood sugar and blood
pressure are also lower. Hormones, especially elevated progesterone levels,
cause drowsiness. In addition to the physical changes taking place in your
body, emotional changes can contribute to a drop in energy.
Whether pregnancy is
planned or not, you may experience anxiety about motherhood, concern about the
health of your baby, or even conflicting feelings about your pregnancy. It's
important to understand that your emotions affect your physical well-being, and
it's all a natural part of pregnancy.
Fatigue in the second trimester of pregnancy
In the second
trimester, your energy levels will most likely increase and you will start to
feel like you used to. Many women use this time during pregnancy to perform
important tasks, as energy levels are likely to drop again in the third
trimester. This is often referred to as the "The Happy
Trimester". Don't worry
if you still feel tired during this trimester. Most likely, it will be less
noticeable, but, unfortunately, fatigue during pregnancy is still possible in
the second trimester.
Fatigue during the third trimester of pregnancy
At the end of your
pregnancy, you will most likely start to feel tired again. At this point, you
will be overweight baby, you may have trouble sleeping, and you will experience
frequent urination more often.
Steps to deal with fatigue during pregnancy
- Rest.
Make sure you allow yourself more rest in bed when you feel tired. This can be
achieved by going to bed earlier or taking an afternoon nap if possible.
Avoiding fluids a few hours before bed is also a good way to cut down on the
number of times you have to get up at night to go to the toilet.
- Adjust your schedule. If your current obligations or activities prove too
tiring during your pregnancy, you may need to temporarily adjust your schedule
to be less busy. This may include reducing your work hours if possible, or
asking friends and family to help you with chores/errands.
- Follow a balanced diet. Eating nutritious meals will go a long way in
maintaining your energy levels. Make sure you get enough iron, protein and
calories. Fatigue can get worse if you don't get the proper nutrients. In
addition, you need to take care to avoid dehydration during pregnancy.
- Moderate exercise. While you may feel like you don't have the energy to exercise, if you include moderate activity like a 30-minute walk, you will feel more energized. Exercise is beneficial during pregnancy, unless your doctor has advised otherwise.