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Ask any pregnant woman who is in her first or third trimester how they are feeling and the answer will almost always be "tired". One of the first clues that many women have that they may be expecting a visit from the stork is the fact that they find themselves droopy eyed in the middle of the day for no reason.
You may find that doing a simply task as walking around the block leaves your desperate for an afternoon nap. The energy you use to have is now faced with the challenge of growing a baby and your body is hard at work. You are also producing more blood, using more water and nutrients and have a higher heart rate and metabolism when you are pregnant. While the best defensive against the tiredness you will face is to get more sleep. There are also some healthy foods choices you can make that will help you get through your day if you do not have the opportunities to take naps.
First, adjust the size of your meals. Anyone who eats a large meal is going to feel tired afterwards regardless of if they are pregnant or not. Being pregnant is going to make the effect of a big meal that much worse. Most of your energy is going to be used towards digesting the meal so of course you will feel sluggish and drained. Eat smaller meals and eat more often. Eating six small meals a day will help you combat fatigue.
Eating a good breakfast is the best way to start your day. You are refueling your body after a long foodless night with a good breakfast. A good breakfast is not a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. You want to stick to complex carbs and protein. Whole grain cereal and a banana for example. These foods will stay with you and keep your blood sugar and energy level up for quiet a while.
Do not skip lunch. There are many people who skip lunch thinking they will make up for it by having a big dinner. This is bad when you are not pregnant but it's even worse when you are pregnant. You need that midday meal to help refuel your body. As with your breakfast, you should keep it filled with whole grains and protein. Have a whole grain pita and stuff it with chicken salad and add a side of grapes or an apple.
Plan to eat most of your calories during the day. A pregnant woman needs an extra 300 calories a day throughout their second and third trimester. The first trimester those are not needed yet. You should eat these extra calories through out the day in the form of healthy snacks such as nuts, cheese, veggies and dip. Do not save your biggest meal until the end of the day. Your body needs these calories to help you get through your day. Steer clear of the quick sugar fixes like candy and soda. In the end these will only make you more tired.
Lastly, make sure you are getting enough iron. Eat iron fortified food such as spinach and lean red meat to keep your energy up. There are times when extreme fatigue could be the symptom of an iron deficiency and you might need an iron supplement also.
Besides eating well, make sure you get plenty of rest even if this means pushing your bedtime up and giving up those late night TV talk shows. As any parents of newborns will tell you, get your rest while you still can.
It is not at all uncommon to experience pregnancy fatigue. It seems only natural that sustaining two lives drains you of more energy than only dealing with your own. Having a fetus growing in your belly most certainly takes its toll on your body.
Pregnancy fatigue is often accompanied by a multitude of aches, pains, and sore muscles. How you deal with these problems will often determine your level of pregnancy fatigue.
Pregnancy fatigue is generally caused by your body adjusting to natural hormonal changes, and the added weight of carrying the baby. You may also be having trouble sleeping due to aches and pains, vivid dreams, or simply too much stress.
As usual, raging hormones are unavoidable. But losing sleep is a huge contributor to pregnancy fatigue.
Pregnancy fatigue is just your body's way of telling you that it needs more rest. Then it seems reasonable to assume that the way to start alleviating the problem is to sleep more. Try to go to bed earlier, and get about 9-10 hours of sleep per night if you can.
If you are having trouble sleeping, try drinking a non-caffeinated herbal tea or lighting some scented candles. Breathing exercises can also help you to calm your nerves for sleep.
Try taking naps during the day in addition to sleeping more at night, and try to stay off your feet during the day, sitting or laying down whenever possible. Even a quick 20 or 30 minute nap can help to alleviate pregnancy fatigue.
All of the energy that your body uses to get you through the day comes from the food that you eat and the nutrients you consume. Pregnancy fatigue can be diminished by simply eating the right foods. Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet is key.
Try to eat an extra 300 calories per day. Try to fight the urge to consume endless amounts of junk food and empty calories. If you feel the need to splurge, try eating an apple or something else nutritious to curb your appetite. Iron deficiency is also a leading cause of pregnancy fatigue, so be sure to get enough.
It may seem counter-productive, but regular light exercise will actually make you feel more energized and help to avoid pregnancy fatigue. Try walking around your neighborhood or mall, or going for a swim. The exercise will leave you feeling energized and refreshed, and will help you to sleep better at night.
Make no mistake about it, some degree of pregnancy fatigue is unavoidable. All pregnant women will experience it. But hopefully, armed with these tips, you can recognize some of the causes and begin to control your pregnancy fatigue.