During the first 12
weeks of pregnancy your body changes and your baby grows
so that fatigue becomes a very early symptom of pregnancy.
Being pregnant puts a strain on your entire body. When
you are pregnant, your body cries out for rest. Many
women find they cannot get through the day without a
nap or that they go to sleep as soon as they get home
from work. What most women remember about the early
stages of pregnancy is a constant feeling of tiredness.
Even those who normally stay up late will feel themselves
struggling to stay awake for a favorite television show.
No one knows for sure why exhaustion sets in at this
early stage but it is possible that hormonal changes
– in particular a dramatic rise in progesterone
– can make you feel sleepy and less energetic.
During the first trimester, you are building the placenta
that feeds and nourishes your baby until birth. Your
metabolism is affected and all of these reasons act
as a signal for us to listen to our bodies and care
for ourselves at this crucial period. Many women have
low blood pressure while pregnant because their blood
is circulating through two systems - both mother and
baby - so this can cause additional fatigue. Some
pregnant women notice that the feeling of exhaustion
is stronger at some times of the day more than others
but this may depend on your daily routine. You may
even be having trouble getting a good night’s
sleep if you are uncomfortable or having to get up
frequently to use the bathroom.
This period of exhaustion in pregnancy is usually
only temporary and should pass by around 14 to 16
weeks. Most women find that their energy level is
back to normal in mid pregnancy and they feel like
their old selves. Some even have an increased level
of energy and this is the time to sort out the nursery
and do those chores that you will not have the energy
for later in the pregnancy.
If by any chance you are still exhausted a few weeks
into your second trimester, then talk to your doctor
so that any underlying causes such as anemia or depression
can be checked out.
By the end of pregnancy, the strain of carrying all
that extra weight starts to take its toll and most
women tire by the end of the day. The increased size
and weight begins to tax the muscles. Difficulty in
sleeping can also leave you tired. Women who have
had many previous pregnancies seem to feel even more
exhausted but it is not known whether this is a physical
cause or because of the responsibilities of a large
family. It is possibly a combination of both.
If it is getting close to your due date, ensure you
are getting plenty of rest both during the day and
at night as fatigue in labor can interfere with labor’s
progress. First time mothers can get excited and over
tired even before they go to the hospital as they
rush around making sure everything is ready. In the
early stages of contractions when there is no urgency,
try to sleep as much as possible so that you are not
exhausted before you go into labor because that is
the time when you are going to need your strength
for the hard work ahead of you
