How do I cope with exhaustion during pregnancy?

Question

I've never been this tired in my life. It wasn't even this bad when I was pregnant with my first, two years ago. Are there any techniques for coping with exhaustion and still giving enough attention to my son, my husband, my house, and my job? (I just finished my first trimester so it should be getting better, but it's only getting worse). Are there any safe foods that I can eat (obviously not caffeine) that can help? Thanks!

Answer 1

If you can, nap when your son does. Be sure to ask your husband for extra help around the house--maybe he can do the more heavyweight stuff like laundry and vacuuming while you stick to less energy-consuming chores. He needs to understand that making another person is very tiring and takes a lot out of your body. Be open with him about what you are dealing with and ask him how he thinks he can help. Be sure to talk to your employer. Make sure he or she knows about your pregnancy. Maybe you can ask to telecommute one day a week instead of going to the office. You'll never know if you don't ask.

Beyond that, make sure you are getting enough B-vitamins and iron. I'm assuming you are taking a good prenatal vitamin, but sometimes you can get deficiencies on even the best vitamin plan. A healthy diet will help you have more energy and stay more focused, plus it will be good for you and the baby. Also, I have one tip that has really worked for me: make sure you are eating often enough. Unstable blood sugar can cause fatigue, so make sure you are eating every couple of hours. Don't let yourself get too hungry! A little bit of caffeine doesn't hurt either. My doctor approved about 300 milligrams of caffeine a day for me, so talk to your doctor.

Most importantly, good luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

Something has to give, and I think it should be your housework. Better that than your health! Would it really matter if you only do the bare essentials for a while? Delegate what you can to your hubby, after all you both made this baby. Also get as much help as you can from friends and family. Accept any offers of help, babysitting and put your feet up! If your son still has a nap then have a nap at the weekends if you are not working. You don't need to have a spotless house but you DO need to look after yourself. I know its easy to say but you will find that some things can wait till you are feeling better. I don't believe we are supposed to be superwomen. If we waste all our energy doing loads of chores then the children we bring into the world don't get the attention they deserve either because we are busy doing housework or because we are too exhausted to run around in the garden with them. You just need to give yourself a break, the housework CAN wait till you have a little more energy. Good Luck and CONGRATS! x

Answer 3

It is harder with each child that you have. You feel like you are being spread too thin, and your body just doesn't have the energy to do it! First, you need to make sure that you realise that you can not do as much as you did before you became pregnant. You are going to have to give a few of the chores to your husband. Use some of that time to read a book or do something quiet with your son. Prop your feet up whenever you can! Drink plenty of fluids, this will help. Remember to eat a well balanced diet, and get plenty of rest. When you, take the half hour you find here or there and take a quiet little rest, or nap. You will need it! As you know when you get further along, it gets worse! Make sure you take your prenate vit. Most of all, take deep breaths and try to relax. It will all work its self out in the long run! Remember though, take care of you first right now!
Good Luck!

Dee

Answer 4

Ohh, this must be hard on you >.< I know, I have five children, but three were adopted and so I was pregnant with twins :O I know how you feel. Try going to sleep a couple hours earlier than usual. Try to ask your family to help stay quiet at night so you can sleep. As far as work goes...Well, I don't know if your job has this option...but mine does; I work from home. I have a home office with a fax, computer, laptop, printer, phones, etc. Basically everything I need for work. If your job doesn't have this option/it's simply impossible, try asking your boss or manager to allow you a longer lunch break? That's what I did at first, before I started working from home. Then I would go home, eat and set my alarm so I could take a nap. :D
Good luck!

Answer 5

This happened to me during about the first 5 months of my pregnancy. I slept all the time, and was exhausted all of the time. I would come home from school and sleep for about two or three hours and then go back to sleep after dinner. Luckily it was my first baby, and I was in school so it was easier for me to deal with.
I don't know anything that works except for sleep. My doctor recommended me to drink one cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning to help with it. I ended up saving it for the middle of the day when I could barely keep my eyes open.

Answer 6

Sorry hun but nothing you can do! I slept so much during my first trimester, I work from 9-6 and since my husband doesn't get home till 10pm or later I would have to do the cooking too. You will have to sleep as much as you can, I am almost at the end of my third trimester and still feel as exhausted as the first trimester. Good luck!

Answer 7

It sounds like you need to hire a nanny, or clone you non-pregnant self, Sweetie! Just kidding. No, really, you need to prioritize and figure out where you can make time to rest. You are obviously over taxing your system somewhere. Can you afford to hire someone to help around the house? Or pay a teenage girl in the neighborhood a couple of bucks to help with your child, or cut back on hours at work? Something has to give, or your health, or the health of your child will suffer.

Answer 8

I had the same problem just trying to stay awake and watching my 3 yr old. What i did was kept busy did some house cleaning,went out with my son,played with him. Eat fruit it gives a good source of energy.

Answer 9

Have you had your iron and B vitamin levels checked? You might be anemic if you're energy level is extremely low. Mention it to your ob.

Don't forgot to nap with your toddler. Morning to night without a rest is to much for me. I've got a 2 year old to.

Answer 10

Eat foods high of iron and protein, just remember to get extra sleep and take care of you self for you and your family. Good Luck