Extreme fatigue during early pregnancy

Pregnancy: Can Fatigue Be a Sign of a Health Problem?

By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer

Sep 20, 2021

Better Me

Are you dragging these days? Does a nap sound fantastic right now?

Life can be exhausting at times, but especially when you’re pregnant. It’s totally normal to have some degree of fatigue right now—you are growing a human inside of you!

“Fatigue may be one of the most common first symptoms of pregnancy a woman experiences,” said Kelley Saunders, MD, an OBGYN at Banner – University Medicine Women’s Institute in Phoenix, AZ. “It is very common and quite significant in the first trimester. For many women, this improves in the second trimester and returns in the late third trimester.”

Although it’s common among pregnant women, you may still wonder why.

Why does pregnancy make you so tired?

The biggest reason: It’s hard work making a baby and it can be taxing to your body. “Your body has to adjust to maintain your health and the health of the baby inside of you,” Dr. Saunders said. “The physiologic changes and increased metabolic demand start in early pregnancy and can continue even after childbirth while breastfeeding.”

Beginning somewhere between conception and implantation, pregnancy hormones kick in – affecting your body, mood and sleep. During the first trimester, you may also experience morning sickness, frequent nighttime bathroom breaks and leg cramps, which can leave you feeling pretty tired.

Then starting around your second trimester, you may start to get a little pep in your step. You may start to feel more like yourself again. But don’t be alarmed if you are still pretty exhausted—especially if you have other children to care for. Fatigue is still possible during the second trimester.

In late pregnancy, you’ll most likely begin to feel tired again. At this point, your baby has grown quite a bit and is putting more physical demands on your body. You’re carrying around extra weight and it’s more difficult to get comfortable when you sleep. Add in leg cramps and heartburn, and sleep becomes even more elusive.

When is pregnancy exhaustion not normal?

While exhaustion is a common symptom of pregnancy, extreme fatigue is not normal and may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Dr. Saunders said you should see your health care provider if your fatigue is severe and persistent.

“A sudden onset of exhaustion and continual symptoms may be a sign of abnormal fatigue,” she said. “When fatigue is associated with fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing or an inability to perform routine daily activities, you should see your OBGYN for evaluation.”

Some of the potential underlying causes for your fatigue both during and outside of pregnancy may be due to the following:

Gestational diabetes: Your body may become resistant to insulin during pregnancy, which can cause you to feel very tired. Other symptoms include extreme thirst and frequent urination.
Anemia: A lack of iron can cause you to have an insufficient number of red blood cells to transport oxygen to your tissues and can cause you to feel tired, lightheaded and weak.
Infections (viral, bacterial or fungal): Being pregnant can make you more vulnerable to infections, such as urinary tract infections, which can make you fatigued.
Thyroid problems: Having too much or too little thyroid hormones can cause you fatigue, along with fluctuations in your weight, irritability and depression.
Prenatal depression: Feeling tired all the time can also be a side effect of depression. Other symptoms may include sadness, feelings of hopelessness and an inability to complete daily tasks or activities.

If you’re in need of a health care provider or have questions or concerns, you can find a Banner Health specialist at bannerhealth.com who can help.

Have a happy, healthy pregnancy

For helpful tips to boost your energy and stay healthy throughout your pregnancy, check out the following posts:

5 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
Pregnant and Hungry? A Guide to Eating Right
Prenatal Screening Tests to Expect Every Trimester
Driving While Pregnant: Common Questions Answered
Is a Headache During Pregnancy Something to Worry About?

Women's Health Pregnancy

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First trimester fatigue: How long it lasts, how to ease it

Is it normal to feel so tired during pregnancy?

Yes, although the extreme tiredness of the first trimester can come as quite a surprise. It can be an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy. Women who usually need only six hours of sleep at night may find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy.

And for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.

Why am I so tired?

Creating human life is a big job that takes lots of time and energy. Fatigue in the first trimester is a signal from your body to slow down and give it time to adjust to the incredible changes happening inside.

Several factors may contribute to first trimester pregnancy fatigue, including:

Hormones. Hormonal changes play a big role in making you feel tired, especially the hormone progesterone. This hormone rises sharply in the first trimester.
Increased blood volume. Your blood volume has doubled to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients it needs to grow. To accommodate this increase, your heart is pumping harder and stronger. This in turn increases your metabolism and lowers your blood sugar and blood pressure, adding to your fatigue.
Anemia. Iron levels can drop in pregnancy, resulting in iron-deficiency anemia. If you are experiencing extreme fatigue, talk to your provider about testing your iron levels.

How long will I feel like this?

For most women, the extreme fatigue of the first trimester is soon forgotten with the glow and boost in energy that comes with the second trimester. So, don’t worry if it seems like all you’re doing these first few weeks is lying around, dozing or napping. It’s normal. Although fatigue often returns in the third trimester because of disrupted sleep and increasing discomforts, this too will pass in time.

What can I do to feel better?

Sleep. Try to go to bed early and take naps when you can.
Adjust your schedule. There’s no need to fill every waking minute of your day with work and tasks. Recognize the things that can wait until tomorrow to allow yourself some much-needed rest. Reduce any extra job or social commitments during these first few weeks so you can be as productive as possible in your regular responsibilities.
Eat right and eat often. Protein and complex carbohydrates are your friends. Start your day with protein and eat small, frequent, healthy meals to help stabilize your blood sugar.
Exercise. A little exercise can energize you and may help you get some quality zzz’s at bedtime. Get up and walk around the office, do some deep stretches or take a break outside. When you can, go on a brisk 20-minute walk.
Stay hydrated. Drink enough fluids during the day. If you’re struggling with frequent urination during the night, limit your fluids several hours before bedtime.

What should you avoid? Squelch the urge to drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks to stay alert, as too much caffeine really isn’t good for your developing baby. Instead, drink plenty of water.

Tips to avoid sleepless nights

Pregnancy is tiresome work, but some women still have trouble sleeping when they do get the chance.

How can you sleep more comfortably while pregnant? Try these tips:

Get into a routine. Go to bed at around the same time each night.
Get in position. Sleep tilted to one side with pillows supporting your knees, back and belly. Lying on one side can help the baby get good blood flow, but it’s OK if you roll over onto your back during the night. Also, propping yourself up even slightly can help with heartburn.
Limit distractions. Keep your room comfortable and dark. Limit screen or phone time, TV watching and computer use in the bedroom.
Watch what you eat or drink. Stay hydrated with water throughout the day but limit it at night. Don’t eat immediately before sleeping as this can increase heartburn. Avoid spicy and acidic foods at dinner if your heartburn flares up at night.
Exercise. In addition to giving you an energy boost to fight fatigue, exercising every day helps you sleep better at night.
Relax. Try calming music, white noise, meditation, a warm bath or deep breathing to calm your restless mind.
Treat pain first. If you have back, hip or leg pain, try a heating pad before bed or take Tylenol before lying down to help soothe those aches.

If you’ve tried everything and still cannot sleep, talk to your doctor for more suggestions and recommendations.

Give yourself a break

It’s easy to feel guilty about not being able to do everything like you’re used to. It’s OK to step back, relax and pamper yourself.

Remember this is only temporary. Don’t let your fatigue put a damper on your pregnancy joy. You are creating life, and that’s definitely something to celebrate.

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Posted In Health Information, Pregnancy, Women's

Morning weakness during pregnancy

Klokova E.V. - Candidate of Medical Sciences

During the first trimester of pregnancy, morning weakness is almost an integral element after waking up. Of course, pregnancy is different for everyone: someone cannot come closer than three meters to their once-favorite products, someone eats and drinks everything without experiencing the slightest discomfort. It's all very individual, but eighty percent of women are affected by morning sickness and the accompanying nausea. The culprit for nausea is the hormone progesterone. Its active excretion slows down the digestion process. One of the reasons for the occurrence of such conditions may also be the fact that during this period the body of the expectant mother is deficient in certain elements, such as folic acid and iron. Check blood sugar levels, calcium levels, thyroid function, which will give information about the iodine supply in the body - most often these factors cause severe weakness. nine0005

Most often, there is nothing to worry about in such a state: the body is being restructured, the internal organs “get used” to the new state of affairs and experience an increased load (kidneys, liver, pancreas), the hormonal background changes. In the first weeks of pregnancy, the heart pumps blood in an enhanced mode, so fatigue and drowsiness are normal. In addition to this, the woman’s anxieties about her new condition, the new schedule (going to the doctor, restructuring the diet), new worries are exhausting the body. Sometimes "morning" weakness can occur during the day - there is nothing to worry about. Changes often happen so fast that it's hard to keep track of them. nine0005

It is worth consulting a doctor if weakness and dizziness lead to fainting, if you feel very sick, and vomiting occurs more than two to three times a day, which can cause dehydration. Listen to your inner feelings, if something bothers you, it’s better to play it safe and once again visit the clinic. Don't take your condition to the extreme.

Otherwise, try to eliminate all stress factors as much as possible, take vitamins that include a complex of magnesium and iodine, get more rest and improve nutrition. Do not starve, even if you do not feel like eating at all, and most foods and foods cause nausea. It is believed that mint, chamomile and ginger tea, a piece of dried bread or thin slices of an apple help well in this case. Experiment with the menu, figure out dishes and ingredients that suit your body perfectly, and those that you categorically cannot stand. It is useful to exclude all fatty and fried foods from the diet, add yoghurts and foods rich in carbohydrates. But if, on the contrary, during such a period you can only eat, for example, fried potatoes and fatty meatballs, you should not torture yourself - eat, over time the regime will improve. It is also better to take warm, rather than hot food and in small portions, break the meal into 5-7 times a day. nine0005

Try to move smoothly and slowly, if you have nowhere to hurry in the morning, allow yourself to lie down for a few minutes before getting out of bed, try to relax and think positive thoughts. It is good to start the day with a cup of warm water with lemon, you can also brew herbal teas.

Have a nice pregnancy!!

Sleepiness and fatigue during pregnancy - causes and how to cope with them habitual activities, to concentrate. And it is true. Pregnancy is not a disease, but a huge complex of physiological processes that take place in the female body and give life to a new person. It is not surprising that the creation of a new life takes a lot of strength and energy from a woman.

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Fatigue during pregnancy is a normal reaction of the body to bearing a child, as well as drowsiness, inability to concentrate and mood swings.

Where does the strength of a pregnant woman go and what causes fatigue during pregnancy at different stages?

Sleepiness and fatigue in early pregnancy

Tiredness in early pregnancy is easy to explain.

First, the fetus actively grows and develops, its internal organs are formed. The processes of synthesis of proteins and other molecules, acting as a "building material" for new cells, proceed rapidly. This wastes energy. nine0005

Secondly, a powerful hormonal restructuring takes place in the body of a pregnant woman, an additional circle of blood circulation is formed. The circulatory system is rebuilt, the load on the heart increases. The hormone progesterone, produced in the first weeks of pregnancy, affects vascular tone, lowering blood pressure. If you have experienced low blood pressure personally, then you know this condition. Similarly, a pregnant woman experiences drowsiness, it is difficult for her to concentrate.

Thirdly, all the resources of the body are directed first to the formation and development of the fetus, and then to the normal needs of the female body. This applies to both energy and nutrients. A woman simply does not have enough “fuel” to provide not only for her unborn child, but also for herself. This is especially acute for women who do not take vitamins during pregnancy. The fact is that many vitamins and minerals, on the one hand, are needed for energy production (especially for B vitamins), on the other hand, these same micronutrients are needed for the proper development of the fetus. For example, from vitamin B9depends on the closure of the neural tube - the basis of the spinal cord and brain.

Finally, toxicosis also contributes to fatigue in the first trimester. This condition can be accompanied not only by nausea and vomiting, but also by drowsiness, fatigue, and rapid mood swings. Toxicosis, if it passes without health complications, is considered a normal, although not very pleasant, element of pregnancy. In this case, one of the likely causes of toxicosis is a lack of vitamin B6. nine0005

By the second trimester, the hormonal background stabilizes, but other reasons lead to weakness and drowsiness during pregnancy.

Late term drowsiness

The fact is that in the third trimester the child's weight becomes quite significant and grows rapidly. The weight of the placenta and the fluid that fills it should be added to the weight of the fetus. That is why the load on the body of a pregnant woman (especially the legs and back) becomes palpable. Even after walking a short distance, a woman may feel tired, as if she was carrying heavy loads. And yet it is so! nine0005

Another cause of late-term sleepiness is rather commonplace. With a large belly, it is more difficult to fall asleep and get enough sleep. It is difficult for a woman to turn around or take her usual position, the child may begin to push in her sleep. After all, if in ordinary life we don’t get enough sleep for a night or two, then we can sleep off on the weekends, and there are no days off from pregnancy.

But drowsiness during late pregnancy can be a symptom of a dangerous disease - anemia, lack of iron in the body. It is especially bad because it develops gradually, and it can easily be mistaken for ordinary overwork. Pallor, fatigue, rapid pulse, heart pain, dizziness and fainting during pregnancy are all signs of anemia and a reason to see a doctor as soon as possible. It is impossible to delay a visit to a specialist: anemia can have the most serious consequences, up to the loss of a child. Iron supplements usually help prevent anemia. It is better to choose iron in liposomal form, which is well absorbed. nine0005

How to deal with drowsiness and fatigue during pregnancy

Despite the fact that most women spend the beginning of pregnancy at work in the same mode as usual, experts strongly recommend that they slow down their rhythm of life a little and take more rest.

Great changes are taking place in the body of a pregnant woman, and it would be wrong to load oneself with work in the same way as always. And if a woman says that her pregnancy was much easier and she didn’t need rest, you can only be happy for her, but you should listen only to your feelings. nine0005

How to deal with drowsiness during pregnancy, or at least reduce the level of fatigue as much as possible?

You should definitely get more sleep. Lack of sleep makes a person shaky, nervous. Which, in turn, greatly affects the level of stress. Stress interferes with normal sleep - and the circle closes. You can buy special pillows under the stomach, which help to take a comfortable position in a dream.
Eat properly and fully! This will help to provide both organisms - both the mother and the unborn child - with everything necessary, as well as avoid health problems, prevent weight gain that affects the feeling of fatigue, especially by the last trimester. Be sure to include vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women in the diet, for example, Pregnoton Mom - with B vitamins, liposomal iron and other micronutrients that are important for the health of mother and baby. nine0063
Walking in the fresh air (especially in the morning, when there is the least amount of gas pollution) will help tone the muscles and enrich the blood with oxygen.
Take CoQ10. It is involved in energy production at the cellular level. That is, it does not work as an energy tonic, but helps the body naturally efficiently extract energy from food. In addition, studies show that CoQ10 reduces the risk of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications.
Coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E are contained in the antioxidant complex Sinergin, which will give a pregnant woman additional energy. Of course, Sinergin is allowed to be taken throughout pregnancy.

When does sleepiness go away during pregnancy? nine0032

When will fatigue and drowsiness during pregnancy go away? It is impossible to predict this, because each woman's pregnancy is individual. Some will feel much better already in the second trimester of pregnancy, while others will need additional support of vitamins and antioxidants throughout the pregnancy.

It is important not to forget: fatigue, drowsiness, absent-mindedness and the inability to concentrate are manifestations of pregnancy, which are largely explained by physiology, and not by qualities of character. It is not necessary to give the expectant mother advice like “get together and make yourself work”, “stop being lazy”, etc. After all, having a baby is hard work. nine0005

The world will not collapse if a woman stops carrying it on her shoulders alone, starts to rest more during pregnancy or asks for help. The most precious thing is the health and well-being of the woman herself and the unborn child.