Feeling exhausted, fatigue and tired are common signs of pregnancy. The fluctuations in the levels of pregnancy hormones are responsible for it to a greater extent. Other reasons are that the brain is not getting adequate blood and oxygen. It is mostly observed in women in their first trimester.
Slowly as the pregnancy advances, these signs tend to subside naturally. By the onset of the second trimester, you would feel energetic. However, due to the recurring nature, you will again feel tired in the third trimester. In this article, we will learn more about this problem and how you can deal with it.
Fatigue in the First Trimester
It is quite common to feel tired, in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The changes in pregnancy hormones are making you nauseous. The increase in the production of progesterone hormone can cause you sleepy. Along with the physical changes happening in the body, changes on emotional levels can also lead to low amounts of energy in the body.
Your body is using more energy to generate more blood to transport nutrients to the developing baby. Your blood pressure, and blood glucose levels will decline at this stage. Rest is the only solution to cope up with tiredness. Sit with your feet in a raised position so that an adequate level of blood reaches the brain.
In this way, your brain will get adequately nourished by the nutrients, and oxygen in the blood. Furthermore, ask your family members to help you out. Eat a healthy and balanced diet and take a good amount of rest.
Fatigue in the Second Trimester
In this trimester, you will notice an increase in energy levels. This is the ideal time to accomplish significant tasks, as your energy levels can fall again in the third trimester. Some women may experience fatigue this semester too but it will be less in comparison to the first and third trimester.
Fatigue in the Third Trimester
The tiredness that you felt in the first trimester will surface again. Along with it, you may also face issues regarding frequent urination, sleep deprivation and the difficulties of carrying an additional weight of the baby.
Ways to deal with tiredness in Pregnancy
Here are a few ways by which you can energize yourself and combat tiredness to some extent.
- Rest: Take an ample amount of sleep and rest to reduce fatigue. Going to bed early and taking a good nap in the daytime will provide sufficient to your body. Avoid drinking fluids two hours before sleep time as it will prevent visits to the loo and interruptions in sleep.
- Adjust Schedule: If you go to work at this stage, then you need to reduce your work schedule so that you don’t feel exhausted at work. This includes reducing work hours or asking your family, and friends to support you with housework.
- Eat a Well-Balanced Diet: Eat a nutrition-rich meal as it will boost your energy levels. Include more amounts of iron, calories, and protein to prevent fatigue. Along with the fluid, make sure you drink plenty of water. This is necessary because your body needs water to transport nutrients to different parts of the body. So, stay adequately hydrated throughout the pregnancy.
- Do Regular Exercise: Light yoga poses, and simple stretches can help energize your body. Ask your doctor to suggest some pregnancy-friendly exercises that you can incorporate into your lifestyle. In addition to increasing energy levels, exercise can also help detoxify the body, reduce anxiety and uplift your mood too. It can help you manage body weight and regulate bowel movements in the body. Doing low impact exercise daily will improve blood flow in the body so that you feel less tired during the day.
- Try ways to stay cool: In pregnancy, you feel warmer due to changes in hormones and a rise in blood flow to the skin. This can increase sweating and tiredness in your body. Some of the tips to deal with this condition are:
- Wear loose clothing preferably the ones that are made of natural fabrics. These materials are more absorbent and offer better air circulation.
- Keep the room cool
- Avoid exposure to the sun when it is at its peak
- Keep yourself hydrated
Also read: Rib Pain During Pregnancy; What to do?
Conclusion
It is quite obvious and natural to feel tired of pregnancy. It would also not cause harm to your baby. However, due to fatigue, you may not be able to perform your day to day tasks with the same efficiency as before. It is advised to take a good amount of rest and eat well in this state. If you feel that you are excessively tired, and no natural remedies are helping you overcome tiredness, then talk to your doctor. He may suggest you some more effective ways to treat this condition.