I'm sure it's perfectly normal to be feeling tired for no apparent reason at this late stage of pregnancy, but it has me a little worried about how I will be able to handle labor & caring for a newborn (and a 2-year-old) if my energy level doesn't pick up. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to revive myself? Or will this fatigue go away on its on? Thanks!
2006-08-08 09:41:07 · 32 answers · asked by Mommy Kai 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Your body is trying to tell you to rest. You may feel the "nesting urge" in a few days, where you'll have a sudden burst of energy. Don't use it to clean the house, you'll only wear yourself out! Save up all the energy you can. Women's bodies are designed to handle labor and birth a baby in 99% of all cases. You're going to do just fine. One thing you can do is surround yourself with support. Have someone else come over to help clean before baby gets here, also after baby arrives. You could hire a doula for post-partum help. Labor doulas are great too. They can help you focus and make labor shorter, so you're not so tired by the end. Get your family to help, enlist friends to help, take it easy on yourself. You don't have to be superwoman, just supermom!
2006-08-08 09:48:09 · answer #1 · answered by chamely_3 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋
the exhaustion doesn't go away until your youngest moves out on their own...(and truthfully, not even then)lol.
No, seriously it truly is a part of the last stage of pregnancy. You may also begin to feel restless and even more uncomfortable than usual.
It will be hard for you to do with a two year old munchkin running around, but please try to get some extra rest, relax as much as possible,and don't worry about it affecting your labor. Your body knows what to do, and at the time of labor adrenaline kicks in and should take care of the fatigue. If you are still concerned, don't hesitate to call your MD, mom, sister, best friend, or someone else who has been through labor. Every pregnancy is different, and I would guess that some of your anxiety is stemming from "I didn't feel like this before my first labor"
This may sound funny, but do you know if you are having a boy or a girl? I've heard many wives tales about which unborn child gives you which symptoms. I've heard that girls move around earlier and a lot more than boys and are more apt to give you postpartum depression, but boys are more likely to give you the fabled "pregnancy symptoms" (morning sickness, sore breasts, restlessness, nesting etc) farther into your pregnancy. Just a thought.
Congrats on your impending bundle of joy.
2006-08-08 09:58:42 · answer #2 · answered by munesliver 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your energy level will probably pick up after the baby is born... I was tired all the time my last few weeks of pregnancy... and to top it all off, I went into labor about an hour before my bedtime and had a busy day with my sister that day. I barely remember the pain and I was soooo exhausted in labor. I actually somehow managed to fall asleep between contractions (first time the doctors had seen this!). The best thing I can say to do is Eat lots of healthy foods (stay away from fast food cause it'll just slow your body down) for energy and try to get some naps in. I picked right back up about a week after the baby was born.
2006-08-08 09:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by sarah_lynn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, you will get a burst of energy right before you go into labor. It is the nesting instinct and all of the sudden you just want to clean everything to get ready for the baby. You will be tired after the baby is born and this is normal. You need someone to come and help you for a week or two. Usually your mom or mother-in-law or sister will be the one to do this. If they can't come, you can ask friends to come and help by bringing a meal or doing the dishes. If you belong to a church, ask them if they can set up some people to help out. I don't what I would have done without all those great meals people from the church brought! You need the help because you will only have enough energy to take care of yourself and the baby. I hope that the baby's dad is around to help out and that he understands that you will not be able to take care of him for a few weeks. If you don't have anyone staying with you to help, maybe the 2 year old can go visit friends or family.
2006-08-08 09:51:38 · answer #4 · answered by runningviolin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course you're exhausted, your body has had to care for an extra person for the last 9 months. Just go with the flow and don't do anything you don't want to. Dishes in the sink? so what they'll be there later. clothes need folding? why fold them they'll just be dirty again. Take this next 6 days and have fun with your 2 yr old. because it will never be just you two alone again for a long time. as for how you will do during labor and delivery your body will do what all mother's bodies have been doing since the beginning of time, give birth. and when the new one comes you will do just fine, you did with your other one didn't you?
CONGRATULATIONS!
2006-08-08 09:52:06 · answer #5 · answered by melinda w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have gotten used to being tired. I have a 9 year old, a 3 year old, and a 5 month old. It is tiring. 2 in sports, 2 in school, doctors, friends,family, it can be overwhelming. I never turn down help from friends or family if they want to take the older two. But it is all worth it Id rather be tired then not have my kids so that is how I look at it.
Congratulations:-)
2006-08-08 09:47:59 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ to ...... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things will get better. Once you have the baby you need to make sure to take vitamins. This will help. Also eat healthy and get 8 hours of sleep if possible.
For the time being just take it easy. Enjoy what little time you have now with your 2 year old.
Good luck and best wishes for an easy delivery!
2006-08-08 09:45:50 · answer #7 · answered by dolphin2253 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have been carrying around a rather big load for several months. It is normal to be tired. While you are in the hospital get as much rest as you can. If you still feel tired tell your doctor right away. You could be enemic, but then I am no doctor. Best of luck with the baby.
2006-08-08 09:46:28 · answer #8 · answered by shirley e 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everybody is different, eat healthy get some exercise, plan some alone time, and make sure you have help lined up when you bring the baby home for a few weeks until you can get into a routine. Congratulations! and Good luck!
2006-08-08 09:46:41 · answer #9 · answered by Badkitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually after delivery not like the very next day but within a few your energy returns. If it does not consider having a thryoid test done for hypothyroidism caused by pregnancy.
2006-08-08 09:46:05 · answer #10 · answered by wag35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋