Fatigue

It is quite natural and common to feel tired when you are pregnant. However, fatigue, tiredness or exhaustion, no matter what you call it, happens only when you drag. Read on to learn more about what causes pregnancy fatigue and how you can cope with it.Fatigue is common in pregnancy. But you should know what is natural and when is the time to contact your doctor because it can be something serious also. Fatigue can be due to anemia, underactive thyroid, pregnancy diabetes or something else.There are lots of changes going on in your body when you are pregnant. It is not possible for all to understand exactly what is going on inside the body. So, it is advisable to stay safe always and contact your doctor if you find yourself worried. It is very important that you receive prenatal care regularly and stick to a healthy diet along with having a good sleep pattern. In this articleWhy am I so tired? What are the causes of fatigue?Will I be able to continue working?What can you do about pregnancy fatigue?Eat RightSleep and Get More RestListen to Your BodyTake HelpPregnancy ExerciseWhy am I so tired? What are the causes of fatigue?Your body is in the process of creating a baby. It is working hard manufacturing your babys life support system (the placenta) in the first trimester. (Some experts compare the physical demands on your body in the first trimester to be the same as climbing a steep hill). Your body also needs to adjust to other physical changes and emotional demands. Under such circumstances, fatigue is only natural. In simple language, it seems really hard to do daily work at times. Some women feel tired throughout their pregnancy period while some do not find any difference at all. A word of advice: Before the baby arrives, baby yourself and let others baby you.It is really hard to predict causes, but hormonal changes – dramatic increase in progesterone can be blamed for exhaustion during pregnancy.Nausea and vomiting can also leave you feel drained out as you find loss of energy after that.If you are feeling depressed, this could also be the cause of your fatigue.Iron deficiency or anaemia can be one of the causes of making you feel exhausted.The emotional disturbances and psychological disturbances during pregnancy can cause fatigue.Morning sickness can leave you exhausted and you might feel drained out the whole day.Lack of proper sleep can leave you drained out.During pregnancy you share vital nutrients with your child which sometimes makes you feel tired.Rise in heart palpitation also leaves pregnant women exhausted.Carrying extra weight is tiring.Hypothyroidism can be the cause behind extreme level of fatigue during pregnancy.Will I be able to continue working?Once the placenta has completely been developed and your body has adjusted to the changes, your energy levels will automatically rise. This usually happens by the 4th month. Until then, it is advisable to take it easy and work fewer hours. Maybe you could take a couple of days off in a week. If your pregnancy is progressing normally, there is no reason to discontinue. In fact, it will prove beneficial as you will remain happy and less anxious if you are occupied. But if fatigue is severe and you suffer from breathlessness, pallor, palpitations and fainting, it is absolutely essential to report this to your gynaecologist immediately. Take it easy.What can you do about pregnancy fatigue?The second trimester is usually considered as a period of renewed energy. But, fatigue can return in your late pregnancy period. So, keep in mind the suggestions mentioned here and cope with fatigue in such a way that you do not have to drag.Eat RightIn order to keep up your energy level, you should follow pregnancy diet and focus on proteins and complex carbohydrates. A deficiency of calories in terms of iron & protein can cause fatigue, so it is best to check that you are eating in proportion to the increased requirements of your body. Dont indulge in temporary lifts through sweets or caffeine.Sleep and Get More RestThe best way to deal with fatigue is to get some extra sleep i.e. turn in an hour earlier and do not rush into the day. Let yourself lounge around. It is quite normal to need more sleep when you are pregnant. Try to go to bed early or get up late or maybe you need to do both at times.Listen to Your BodyPay attention to what your body needs. This means if you feel like resting, take rest. Avoid dragging because this might leave you exhausted by the end of the day. Stay away from stressful situations in your environment and head for a calm relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes too much rest also causes fatigue, so include some light exercises in your daily routine e.g. a good brisk walk.Take HelpThere is no need to behave like a martyr. Let your partner understand and help you in your daily course of activities. Do not feel guilty about this. After all, it is your shared responsibility.Pregnancy ExerciseFind out from your doctor about the exercises that are good for pregnant women. These help cope with all the practical problems that are felt during this time. Perhaps, pregnancy exercise can turn out more rejuvenating than taking a sofa break.If you find that your fatigue is persistent and the tips mentioned above is not helping you, talk to your doctor about this. Just keep in mind that feeling tired will not harm you or your baby, but if you take too much of rest, you might face difficulty in labour.What are the causes of fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy? How to deal with fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy? How to prevent fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy? Discuss here.