Can Pregnancy Make You Tired

October 5, 2021

Follow A Healthy Diet

I’m 7 weeks pregnant and always tired. How can I have more energy?

Dr. Weil suggests following a satisfying and nutritious anti-inflammatory diet to fight against pregnancy fatigue. Eat a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods as much as possible. Also, you should steer clear of rapidly-digesting carbohydrates like white bread, because these cause you to “crash” and feel more sleepy. Eating a low-fat diet that’s high in iron and protein may also help. And be sure to stay hydrated!

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When Does Pregnancy Fatigue End

You are probably going to experience some fatigue throughout your pregnancy. There will be times when it seems to be steady, but there will also be times when your fatigue appears to spike upwards.

Fatigue levels typically vary by each trimester. For example, hormone-induced fatigue may end during the second trimester, but weight-bearing fatigue will begin during the third trimester.

Your body needs more rest now than it has in a long time, so make sure you take all the time you need to help restore your energy.

Whats the take-home message? Your body needs more rest now than it has in a long time, so make sure you take all the time you need to help restore your energy.

When your pregnancy ends, your pregnancy-related fatigue will diminish, but that doesnt mean your days of being tired are over. Once your little baby makes his or her entrance into this world, a whole new type of fatigue begins.

Symptoms Dwindle In The Second Trimester

Many of the body changes and symptoms of pregnancy you experience in the first trimester will start to fade once you reach the second trimester. Talk with your doctor about any symptoms that interfere with your daily life. Together, you can find relief and comfort for your pregnancy.

To receive week-by-week guidance about early pregnancy symptoms and more, sign up for our Im Expecting newsletter.

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Pregnancy Glow And Acne During Early Pregnancy

Many people may begin saying you have the pregnancy glow. The combination of increased blood volume and higher hormone levels pushes more blood through your vessels. This causes the bodys oil glands to work overtime.

This increased activity of your bodys oil glands gives your skin a flushed, glossy appearance. On the other hand, you may also develop acne.

How To Cope With Exhaustion During Pregnancy

Pregnant and tired? Maybe you have gestational sleep apnea ...

You may feel as if your body is working extra hard to support your pregnancy, which will leave you feeling very tired. Hereâs how you can boost your energy levels and cope better with fatigue:

Follow a healthy diet. Sometimes, fatigue can be linked to iron deficiency, so youâll want to eat plenty of foods that are rich in protein and iron. Getting your vitamins from fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and a variety of whole foods will help keep your energy up throughout the day. You can read more about a healthy pregnancy diet here.
Stay hydrated. Keep drinking plenty of water during the day, but cut down toward the evening to avoid frequent urination at night.

Maintain a sleep routine. Try to get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every evening and morning. If you feel you need more sleep, you can always take a nap during the day. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night.
Get comfortable in bed. As your bump gets bigger, youâll want to find the right sleeping position. Try to sleep on your left side to help improve blood flow to your baby and your organs. Use pillows to support you between the knees, under your tummy, and behind your back. Keep your head elevated.
Stay active. Getting regular physical activity can not only help prevent leg cramps, but also give you a burst of energy. Talk to your midwife or GP about your options for pregnancy exercise.

Strange Dreams During Pregnancy

You may have strange dreams or nightmares about the baby, and about labour and birth. This is normal.

Talking about them with your partner or midwife can help. Remember, just because you dream something, it does not mean it’s going to happen. Relaxation and breathing techniques may be helpful in reducing any anxiety you might be feeling.

How Does Your Stomach Feel In Early Pregnancy

Feeling pain in your lower abdomen or feeling like your stomach is hard, swollen, or heavy are not early signs of pregnancy.

To the touch, a person’s stomach and abdomen will not show any noticeable signs of pregnancy until later on, depending on your specific body type. People who are in their first pregnancy usually don’t start showing until twenty weeks or later.1 Those who have already been pregnant might start showing sooner.

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Cut Back On Added Sugar

Be mindful of what you eat with your morning coffee and any sugar or sweetener you add to it. In many parts of the world, drinks like coffee have become hidden sources of added sugar in a persons diet. For people with diabetes, consuming sugar can prompt fatigue. Additionally, caffeine consumption can negatively impact the bodys ability to properly manage sugar, potentially increasing any resulting fatigue.

How To Deal With It:

How can I deal with fatigue during pregnancy?

Youll probably want to invest in some different kinds of bras, which could be larger, made out of cotton, and underwire-free. Wearing a bra to bed might help ease the pain as well. Though your larger twins might look enticing to your partner, make sure you let them know that they are welcome to look, but touching should be kept to a minimum.

If you’re pregnant, your body is working hard to make another human, so you’re feeling tired for many reasons!

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Get Your Other Children Involved

If you have other kids at home, its no wonder if youre feeling extra tired. Either way, it’s not easy but still important to make yourself a priority.

Explain to your kids that youre feeling sleepy because growing a baby is hard work. Ask for their help around the house. Spend more time on quiet pursuits together, like reading, doing puzzles, playing doctor where you’re the patient , and watching movies.

Squeezing in extra shut-eye may be difficult, but if you can time your rest with their naptime or quiet time, you may be able to swing it.

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression During Pregnancy

Its often difficult to diagnose prenatal depression because some of its warning signs mirror so many “normal” pregnancy symptoms, including:

Inability to concentrate

Mood swings or general emotional instability

If youre not sure whether your feelings are within a healthy range, its best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor to be safe.

If you have five of the following more serious symptoms of depression for most of the day every day during the same two-week period, you should seek help:

Sad, hopeless, restless, indifferent or depressed mood
Crying a lot
Withdrawal from friends and family

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Weight loss
Weight gain that exceeds your target pregnancy weight gain

Wanting to eat all the time, or no appetite at all
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Having trouble thinking, concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of harming yourself, death or suicide
Having headaches, stomach problems or other pains that dont go away

Missing prenatal visits or not following medical instructions
Using harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs

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Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism In Pregnancy

Irregular or increased heartbeat
Weight loss or less weight gain than a typical pregnancy

The good news: If you had preexisting Graves Disease, you may actually see an improvement and even remission in symptoms in the second and third trimesters, since the body suppresses the immune system during pregnancy. And if your condition was linked to hyperemesis gravidarum, it will likely disappear along with nausea and vomiting in the second trimester due to lower levels of hCG.

Is It Common To Be So Tired In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Feeling dog tired, cant summon the energy to do much of anything, and craving your bed? For many women, the extreme tiredness of the first trimester is quite a surprise. And its an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy. Women who usually need only 6 hours of sleep at night often find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy. And, for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.

When Does Fatigue Start In Pregnancy

Fatigue is considered an early pregnancy symptom that almost all pregnant women experience it during the first trimester of pregnancy, the very few weeks after conception and implantation. It normally gets a little better when the second trimester of pregnancy starts, but it then returns in the last trimester. However, it all varies from one pregnancy to another.

What Is Thyroid Disorder

The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck just below the voice box, is part of the endocrine system, which produces all of the hormones in your body. The hormones your thyroid creates play a key role in regulating your metabolism the way your body uses energy along with your temperature, weight, cholesterol levels and other key body functions.

Production of thyroid hormones, in turn, is regulated by levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone , generated by your pituitary gland . The levels of thyroid hormones in your blood naturally fluctuate throughout the day usually, the pituitary gland responds by creating more or less TSH.

Hypothyroidism , can cause many of the bodys functions to slow down, or hyperthyroidism , can cause many of the bodys functions to speed up.

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How To Beat Pregnancy Fatigue

During your pregnancy you need to be well rested. In just a few months, you’ll be on call 24/7, and a full night’s sleep will seem like a luxury.

To get as much sleep as possible right now, follow these restful suggestions:

Take naps. Most pregnant women can’t make it through the night without full bladders or other pregnancy discomforts waking them up. Make up for the sleep you’re losing at night by catching a short nap or two during the day.
Get help. Ask for help at home so you don’t get so rundown and you’ll have time for a daily nap or two. Get a family member to clean your house, or hire a housekeeper. Let your partner run errands for you.
Change your sleep posture. Shift from sleeping on your front or back to your left side. You’ll feel more comfortable, and you’ll take pressure off the blood vessels that nourish your baby. Tuck a pillow in between your legs or underneath you to support your sore back.

Exercise. Even though you might not feel up to it, exercising can actually help beat fatigue. Getting in a daily walk or swim can also help you sleep more soundly.
Relax. Practice deep breathing, take a warm bath, or ask your partner to give you a massage to help you wind down before bed.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids during the day. Dehydration can sap energy.

Eat regular meals and snacks to keep your blood sugar stable. Avoid food or drinks that are high in sugar.

Continued

When To See A Doctor

I’m in my 2nd trimester and get extremely tired. What can I do?

If insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other condition is interfering with your sleep, tell your doctor. Lack of sleep during pregnancy has been liked to high blood pressure , preeclampsia, pre-term birth, and other pregnancy-related complications.

Many times, there are no symptoms that alert you when your blood pressure is elevated. Your doctor will check your blood pressure at your prenatal visits, but if you have a severe headache or swelling of your hands, ankles, and feet, contact your doctor.

Symptoms of preeclampsia include:

Changes in vision, including blurred vision.
Nausea or vomiting.

Light Bleeding Or Spotting

Implantation bleeding is the light vaginal bleeding that typically occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. It shouldnt cause anything more than mild spotting, which you may notice in your underwear. Implantation bleeding can also be accompanied by mild cramps that resemble the cramps of menstruation.

If the bleeding is heavy or if the cramping is severe, contact a health care provider for advice.

Along with light bleeding, some people notice white, milky vaginal discharge. This is completely normal and is the result of increased development in the lining of the vagina. The discharge may continue throughout pregnancy and does not usually have any other symptoms. Seek a health care providers opinion if the discharge smells bad or is accompanied by itching. You may need to be treated for a bacterial or yeast infection.

What Is The Best First Trimester Sleeping Position

In the first trimester you can sleep in any position you like, but its wise to start practicing side sleeping. A wealth of research shows that left side sleeping is the best sleeping position for you and the fetus in later pregnancy. As the baby grows, this improves circulation by preventing the pressure of the uterus from resting on the veins, back, and internal organs. Switching to this position early on may make the transition easier for those who tend to favor stomach or back sleeping.

On the other hand, sleep is a good thing to aim for in and of itself in the first trimester. Dont worry too much if you cant drift off on your side. You can also keep on sleeping on your back or stomach until this becomes uncomfortable. Pregnant women who suffer from tender breasts may try wearing a loose sleep bra for relief.

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When Will You Experience Pregnancy Symptoms

One factor to consider is the fact that many of the earliest signs of pregnancy are the same symptoms you might have right before your period.

With that in mind, you probably won’t experience significant symptoms before your missed period. Most classic pregnancy symptoms dont start until one or two weeks after conception at the very earliest. Many women dont notice anything until one or two weeks after their missed period .

What Should You Avoid

Squelch the urge to drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks to stay alert, as the caffeine really isnt good for your developing baby. Instead, drink plenty of water.

It’s easy to feel guilty about not being able to do everything like you’re used to. It’s OK to pamper yourself. By reducing any extra job or social commitments during these first few weeks, you can be as productive as possible in your regular responsibilities.

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Sickness Nausea And Vomiting

If youre sitting in meetings fighting the urge to vomit, youre definitely not alone. About 50% to 80% of pregnant women will throw up or feel nauseous . That can start happening any time from two to eight weeks after you conceive your baby.

The most likely cause is fluctuating levels of pregnancy hormones .

Oh, and the term morning sickness is a bit misleading too. Nausea or vomiting can happen at any time during the day .

A small number of women might find themselves with a severe form of nausea and vomiting called hyperemis gravadarum . HG can lead to pregnancy complications like dehydration, weight loss and electrolyte imbalance so you might need to be admitted to hospital .

What Else Could Be Going On

Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can also be the signs of other conditions, such as your period being ready to start or a hormonal imbalance. They also can result from stress or occur when you change birth control pills, so they dont always mean that youre pregnant. Be sure to see your doctor if you suspect that youre pregnant.

Could I Have The Symptoms Of Early Pregnancy And Not Be Pregnant

Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy overlap with other medical conditions, as well as your typical menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell the difference. You can also miss a period without being pregnant. This can happen when you exercise in extreme amounts, lose or gain a lot of weight, or even are stressed. Breastfeeding can also cause your period to stop for a while.

The best way to know youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. If you have missed a period and think theres a chance you could be pregnant, consider taking a test.

Coping With Tiredness Of Early Pregnancy

Why is My Pregnancy Making Me So Tired?

This tiredness is normal. It will pass.

Eating a healthy diet may help your energy levels. You may find that gentle exercise makes you feel good and you will have more energy.

If your feelings of anxiety are prevailing over your daily life, talk to a support person. If these feelings persist, make an appointment with your GP.

Usually, by the second trimester , your energy will return. Until then, rest when you can. Try to do your daily tasks in order of priority rather than trying to do everything.

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