What kind of fatigue during pregnancy

Although experience with fatigue tends to vary, most women will feel more tired than usual during their pregnancy. Fatigue during pregnancy is most common during the first trimester. It tends to go away during the second trimester, but will usually return in the third trimester. During early pregnancy, hormonal changes are likely the cause of fatigue.

Your body is producing more blood to carry nutrients to your growing baby. Your blood sugar levels and blood pressure are also lower. Hormones especially increased progesterone levels, are responsible for making you sleepy. In addition to the physical changes occurring in your body, emotional changes can contribute to decreased energy. It is important to understand that your emotions do play a part in how you feel physically, and all of these things are a natural and normal part of pregnancy.

During your second trimester, there is a good chance your energy level will increase and you will start to feel more like your old self. Many women take advantage of this time during the pregnancy to accomplish important tasks, as energy levels will likely decrease again in the third trimester.

More than likely it will be less obvious, but unfortunately, fatigue during pregnancy is still possible during the second trimester. In late pregnancy, you will most likely begin to feel tired again. At this point you will be carrying extra weight from the baby, maybe having trouble sleeping, and dealing with frequent urination more often.

The following are a list of ways to cope with the fatigue you may be experiencing. Roger W. Harms, M. Light a lavender candle.

Play soothing instrumental music. Have a cup of warm chamomile tea. The demands of pregnancy together with the weight gained puts an enormous amount of pressure on your body. In addition to more restful sleep, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states the following benefits of exercise during pregnancy :. It can take a few hours for your body to fully wind down after energetic workouts, so plan for any physical activity to take place earlier in the day.

Always check with your medical practitioner or midwife before beginning a new exercise program during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a tiring experience — both emotionally and physically. Nearly all women experience more fatigue than usual at some point during their pregnancy. Take it as a message from your body. How much sleep do you need? A sleep calculator can help you figure out what time to go to bed and how much sleep you need for good health.

A stroke can be life-threatening, so it's important to act fast. If you think a loved one is having a stroke, here's what you should and shouldn't do. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Duration Causes What can you do? Final thoughts Share on Pinterest. How long does pregnancy fatigue last? Why am I so tired? What can you do? Adapt your sleep habits. Take naps, if possible, during the day.

You may also want to try going to bed earlier. Drink enough fluids during the day and little several hours before bedtime. This may help you avoid having to get up to urinate during the night. Instead, drink plenty of water. 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.

Search Encyclopedia. First Trimester Fatigue Is it common to be so tired in the first trimester of pregnancy?