So Fatigued All the Time

hi L.-
i know just how you feel...I am 9 weeks pregnant and have a 2 1/2 yr boy. I have been swimmining at my local gym for about 30 minutes a day... not much... but something. My doc said swimming was the best! He said it is normal to get run down faster being pregnant even you were used to working out regulary before.

the first week I didnt see much improvement and I had to force myself to go some days, but now I am starting to notice a difference ... enough to give me hope to keep it up. But thats what seems to be working for me. Before I started swimming every evening I felt HORRIBLE with headaches and very moody and stressed out, because I was SO tired. But those days are slowly going away or at least getting better :)

Hope this helps and good luck!

I am also pregnant and my midwife tells me to have a dose of apple cider vinegar a day. I use Braggs organic apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon in my water. There are a lot of health benefits but, it definitely gives me a boost to get through my day. It is also important to drink a lot of water, dehydration can be a cause of fatigue and headaches.

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I remember feeling like that with both my pregnancies. It usually went away once the doctor put me on iron. I have anemia problems, and when I feel just exhausted, that's when I know my iron is low. I wouldn't take anything with talking to the doctor, but he had me take an iron supplement along with my prenatal vitamins. Are you on a vitamin now?

I also thought of something else that worked when I was pregnant with #2 and had a 2 year old at home with me. When he wouldn't nap, I made a movie time in the afternoon. We'd cuddle up on the couch and put in a movie. I usually dozed through the whole thing which helped a lot and he was occupied and not getting into trouble.

In my opinion, your body is telling you to slow down. It may be time to introduce naps again to your daughter, because mommy needs it. Perhaps you can tell her she doesn't have to go to sleep, but she must stay in her bed for how ever long a time you set. (They almost always fall asleep.) Make her understand this is to help mommy out and she may be less resistant. Children often want to please their parents. You will get your energy back, but right now the new baby is just taking everything you've got. That's my 2 cents. Good luck!

I'd suggest you talk to your doctor about what could help with the fatigue. But also enlist your little girl's help. If you haven't already used a timer with her, it may be time to introduce one. Set it for a few minutes to show her how it works to move from one activity to another. Then set it and have her read or take care of her baby doll in her bed until it dings while you get some rest. You can gradually increase the time before it dings and she'll learn to play quietly (or fall asleep) while you take time to rest. Timers are wonderful tools to use in many ways with children.

You may have a very low iron deficiency (anemia). It is very commen during pregnancy. You can buy over the counter iron supplements that will not harm you nor the baby. If you have not seen a dr. yet you can talk to a pharmacist about the best brand of iron to buy.

i have a trick....get to the 2nd trimester. that was the only thing that helped me! good luck it will get better.

Hey, L.. I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I have an 18-mo-old daughter, and I am about 11 weeks pregnant. Like you, I am very excited, but I just feel SO crappy that it is hard to be upbeat. I have terrible morning sickness (ALL day), and feel tired all the time too. My girl has never been a good sleeper either. I am used to being active and productive and creative...and I have felt worthless for the last two months! So far I'm just comiserating...not much advice, ha! But if you're like me, it helps to know someone is in the same boat.

One thing that helps me is workout. The intensity has taken a dive, but if I just make myself do SOMETHING I always feel better. As far as getting stuff done and being a good mom and wife...well...I think we just have to do the best we can and cut ourselves some slack. This rough stuff WILL end (hopefully by the second trimester), and we will be back to our old selves soon.

My husband is very helpful and doesn't put pressure on me...however, I do get some resentment from him since he is not used to doing anything "chore" related after work. I felt very guilty for a long time, but I have finally resigned myself to just thinking "tough toenails!" I might suggest you ask your husband to be on duty when your daughter wakes up at night (go to her bed, instead of vise versa). It is very importantant that you get your rest right now. You will make it up to him in a few weeks when you feel better. Also, even if your girl won't nap, maybe she could have some quiet time in her room with lights low and door closed (just remove dangerous stuff). She might even fall back into napping if she has to have an hour of low-stim. I TOTALLY feel you there, my girl has NEVER EVER been a good napper, yikes!

If you need to vent PLEASE feel free to email me. I feel like I'm the only one slogging through the day like this, sounds like we have a lot in common! Good luck!

You might have your doctor do lab work on you to make sure that your lab work is all in order. I was also tired all the time but I am not pregnant I was diagnosed with H Pylori which makes you tired.

go to the DR. have them check your thyroid...also...prenatal vitamins...lots of b-12...headaches...i would take tylenol...i don't think that there is any new studies out that pregnant women can't take that...i did...my child's fine...poor thing...i'm praying for you...
K.

you can't drink the energy drinks when your prego. but you can drink the vitamin water or life waters and they really do work and help you have more energy! goodluck! Carolanns daughterinlaw Melanie I also have a 2 year old son and I know what fatigue feels like!

Hi L.!
I was quite tired the first 7-8 weeks, too (now in week 21). Before getting pregnant, I was training for a marathon, and I have found that similar things I was doing for that have helped also with the pregnancy. Since you were exericising pre-pregnancy, you will most likely have your doctor's permission to keep doing so for most of your pregnancy. I would recommend keeping some exercising up if you can - even just taking a walk (and you can take your daughter with you), or going for a short jog. I still run 3 or 4 days a week, and it's been great (yes - it was quite hard to get out there in the first trimester, but it got better). And be sure to eat what you need. Pre-pregnancy, after races or long training runs, I had to be sure to get enough calories (and carbs for energy), and of course protein, and I've found this has also helped so far in my pregnancy. Avoid caffeine and all that bad stuff, but you can use GNC shakes like their Weight Gainer shakes - you'll get your calories and carbs and protein - all of which your body (and your new baby) really need right now. And lots of water - you must stay hydrated, afterall. And get enough sleep. Good luck, and know that you will get your energy back! :)
-Christina

First of all girl use lavender essential oils or creams put it on your pulse points.It really helps. Second, get these little bags at a health food shop you put them in a microwave and heat them up and theyThey have rice in them have a nice fragrance really do help!use like a mini-heating pad.There are so many nice teas like chamomille knock u out so you can nap Promise!

Hi Lacy,

No wonder you are tired. You are pregnant and not getting enough sleep at nights. As far as what to take or do call your doctors office. The doctor sees this in other patients too. Rest is not laziness, fatigue when you are pregnant is your body telling you it needs more rest. Your body is busy growing another life.

Nap in your room and lock your daughter in with you. Put in a video with the volume and lights down low. It may not be deep sleep but it does allow you to rest. Tell her Mommy is tired and wants to rest. Do you have a Mom's group? Work out a take turns deal with another Mom. Ask if your little one can go to someone elses house to play. You take a nap, no house work, no errands, just sleep. When it's your turn to have the little one over, enjoy having the kids entertained and do one load of laundry or put something in the crockpot. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be Super Mom/Wife.

As for exercise put on your favorite music and have fun dancing together. You and your daughter will have fun making a memory and you will get some exercise.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

I too was extremely tired when I was pregnant. When my blood iron level was tested (a standard test at some point of pregnancy) it was VERY low. Once I started taking Floridax Iron and Herbs liquid I imediately felt energized-the first day and every day after. I suggest asking your doctor to check your iron level now. Fatigue from iron deficiency anemia is easily treatable. Also, are you taking a good prenatal vitamin? I was and it still was not enough iron for me.

I felt like this with all my pregnancies. Especially the boys. Your doctor should check your iron level.--They did mine, but I was okay. They just said you are pregnant and this is normal. Take your prenatal vitamins, eat lots of fruit and veggies to give you energy. I drink a V8 alot with lemon juice. And headaches are a side effect of pregnancy. They will more than likely go away if you eat healthy and try to rest. Good luck!!

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was barely functioning, I was so tired. It turns out that I was severely iron depleted. Once they figured that out and put me on iron, I was much better. You may want to ask your doctor.

For my second pregnancy, they put me on iron from day 1 and I felt much better through the whole pregnancy.

I think if you have a 2 1/2 year old, and are pregnant, and work, plus just keeping up with a house, you are bound to be tired. But you may want to check with a Dr. and see that there isn't something else going on to make you extra tired. You may have to give up something temperarly for now to get energy back, you may be trying to do too much.

Please talk to your OB. The doctor may be able to give you some hints about handling the exhaustion. I had that with a pregnancy and luckily it went away about 3 months right along with morning sickness.

Good luck.