Is it normal to feel weak during pregnancy
Tiredness and sleep problems - NHS
Is it normal to feel tired in pregnancy?
It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks.
Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. The only answer is to rest as much as possible.
Make time to sit with your feet up during the day, and accept any offers of help from colleagues and family.
Being tired and run-down can make you feel low. Try to look after your physical health – make sure you eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest and sleep.
Later in pregnancy, you may feel tired because of the extra weight you're carrying. Make sure you get plenty of rest.
As your bump gets bigger, it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. You might find that lying down is uncomfortable or that you need to use the loo a lot.
Feeling tired will not harm you or your baby, but it can make life feel more difficult, especially in the early days before you've told people about your pregnancy.
Strange dreams during pregnancy
You may have strange dreams or nightmares about the baby, and about labour and birth. This is normal.
Talking about them with your partner or midwife can help. Remember, just because you dream something, it does not mean it's going to happen. Relaxation and breathing techniques may be helpful in reducing any anxiety you might be feeling.
Bump-friendly sleep positions
The safest position to go to sleep is on your side, either left or right. Research suggests that, after 28 weeks, falling asleep on your back can double the risk of stillbirth. This may be to do with the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby.
Do not worry if you wake up on your back – the research looked at the position pregnant people fell asleep in, as this is the position we keep for longest. If you wake up on your back, you can just turn over and go to sleep again on your side.
You can try supporting your bump with pillows and putting a pillow between your knees.
The baby charity Tommy's has a video about safer sleeping in pregnancy.
Insomnia remedies in pregnancy
Try not to let it bother you if you cannot sleep, and do not worry that it will harm your baby – it will not. If you can, nap during the day and get some early nights during the week.
Avoid tea, coffee or cola drinks in the evening, as the caffeine can make it harder to go to sleep.
Try to relax before bedtime so you're not wide awake. Relaxation techniques may also help, ask your midwife for advice. Your antenatal classes may teach you some techniques, or you could use a pregnancy relaxion CD or DVD.
You could join an antenatal yoga or pilates class. Make sure the instructor knows you're pregnant. Exercise can help you feel less tired, so try to do some activity, such as a walk at lunchtime or going swimming, even if you feel tired during the day.
If lack of sleep is bothering you, talk to your partner, a friend, doctor or midwife.
Read about preventing insomnia, including daytime habits, such as exercising, and bedtime habits, such as avoiding caffeine.
Medical reasons for insomnia in pregnancy
Occasionally, sleeplessness – when accompanied by other symptoms – can be a sign of depression. If you have any of the other symptoms of depression, such as feeling hopeless and losing interest in the things you used to enjoy, speak to your doctor or midwife. There is treatment that can help.
Read about mental health in pregnancy.
Healthtalk.org has videos and written articles of people talking about their symptoms and feelings in the early weeks of pregnancy, including tiredness.
Video: how can I sleep comfortably with my bump?
In this video, a midwife explains the various ways pregnant mothers can get more comfortable at night.
Media last reviewed: 25 January 2020
Media review due: 25 January 2023
Why You Might Be Feeling Weak During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are famously tired—after all, your body is working overtime to grow a baby.
But feeling weak during pregnancy is often a lot more than just needing another nap. As New York-based OB-GYN Kameelah Phillips explains, “It’s more the inability to move or function normally.” For instance, you might feel lightheaded, dizzy or faint, especially when you stand up. You might get shaky, sweaty, confused or irritable. Don’t rule out headaches or blurry vision either. Even with a good night’s sleep, you might feel too exhausted to attack your normal activities. This may sound frightening, but occasional weakness during pregnancy is actually quite common and, fortunately, easy to manage. Read on to find out how.
In this article:
Why you might be feeling weak during pregnancy
What to do about weakness during pregnancy
How to prevent feeling weak during pregnancy
When to call the doctor about weakness during pregnancy
Why You Might Be Feeling Weak During Pregnancy
A range of conditions can cause weakness during pregnancy and they can happen at any point over the course of those nine months.
“It’s very individualized, and it can change,” Phillips says.
Among the biggest culprits is low blood sugar. After all, when your metabolism has shot up and your hormone levels have shifted in the first trimester—and yet your appetite has shrunk, thanks to nausea and aversions to certain foods and smells—you end up taking in fewer calories than you need, says Patricia Evans, NP, CNM, a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. The same can happen in the third trimester when morning sickness may be gone but baby is pressing on your stomach, which can also steal away your appetite. Whatever the case may be, not consuming enough calories can trigger a blood-sugar crash, which, in turn, can make you feel weak or wobbly.
Dehydration can also leave you feeling weak during pregnancy. Your water needs increase when you’re pregnant. Forget to drink enough, and you’ll feel sluggish or shaky.
You might also be feeling weak during pregnancy when you’re overheated.
As most pregnant women know, that feeling is often also accompanied by lightheadedness and nausea—which only serve to intensify that desire to just lie down anywhere.
What’s more, blood pressure takes a natural dip during pregnancy, as hormonal shifts relax the cardiovascular system and cause blood vessels to expand, Phillips explains. That lower blood pressure can leave you feeling dizzy or lightheaded—symptoms that exacerbate any existing sense of weakness.
An iron deficiency can be a culprit too. Your requirements for this important mineral skyrockets when you’re pregnant. Not getting enough over time could lead to anemia (aka, iron deficiency), a condition marked by fatigue, dizziness or, you guessed it, weakness.
What to Do About Weakness During Pregnancy
When that unsteady feeling starts to creep up, don’t try to just push through it, no matter what you happen to be doing. “Sit down, lie on your left side, or, if you’re driving, carefully pull over to the side of the road,” Evans says.
“Take a deep breath and exhale slowly.” If you can, putting your feet up can help more blood flow to your brain and start to ease the dizziness.
Next, get some food and liquids into your system (or better yet, if people are nearby, ask them for help). Sports drinks are a great way to hydrate. Carb-rich snacks like crackers or fruit have easy-to-digest sugars that provide energy for your body to use immediately.
Stay seated for at least 15 or 20 minutes, Phillips says. Once you feel your energy is back, get up slowly. Sometimes standing up too fast can make you dizzy all over again.
How to Prevent Feeling Weak During Pregnancy
A few good habits can go a long way toward helping you feel stronger, steadier, and more energized.
• Eat often. Try to eat and drink water every two hours to keep your blood sugar levels steady. Carry snacks with you at all times—a handful of nuts, apples and peanut butter are ideal.
• Drink plenty of water.
Pregnant women should aim for 10 cups daily.
• Change up your position and get up slowly. Standing or sitting one way for too long can cause more blood to pool in your feet and legs, away from your brain.
• Pay attention to your iron intake. You need 27 mg of iron daily during pregnancy (compared to 18 mg when you’re not pregnant). Red meat, beans, poultry, leafy greens and fortified cereals are all good sources, but if your iron levels are low, your doctor might recommend a supplement.
• Keep cool. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing if you tend to get hot. On warm, sticky days, consider staying inside during the hottest part of the day and pacing yourself when you’re out and about.
When to Call the Doctor About Weakness During Pregnancy
If the weak feeling eases up after you have some food, drink and rest, it’s probably not a cause for concern. But call your doctor right away if the weakness:
- Accompanies trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Comes with chest pains
- Happens often
- Affects your quality of life
To find a possible underlying cause of your weakness during pregnancy (such as iron deficiency or gestational diabetes), your doctor may perform blood work or other tests, and can advise you on next steps.
About the experts:
Kameelah Phillips, MD, is an ob-gyn in New York City and founder of Calla Women’s Health, her private practice. She received her medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. She is also a member of the International Board of Lactation Consultants and is especially interested in the areas of prenatal care, lactation, sexual health and menopause.
Patricia Evans, NP, CNM, is a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, with more than 20 years of experience. She earned her nursing degree from Saddleback Nursing College and became certified in midwifery by the San Jose State University Midwifery school.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such.
You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Why Pregnancy Makes You So Tired (and How to Up Your Energy)
5 Foods to Boost Your Energy During Pregnancy
Why You Might Experience Dizziness During Pregnancy
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.
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.
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.
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!!
Fatigue during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman gets tired faster than usual, sometimes without even doing anything special. This is normal, because hormonal and psychological changes take place, and the body prepares for childbirth. Such changes can be stressful for a woman, which adds to the feeling of fatigue.
A pregnant woman has insomnia, heartburn, heaviness in the back, spasms and cramps in the legs, and excessive fatigue may indicate anemia, especially if symptoms such as pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness and palpitations are present. Iron deficiency in pregnant women occurs very often, as the need for iron increases due to the needs of the baby, and the hemoglobin produced by iron delivers oxygen not only to the tissues of the mother, but also to the child.
1. Proper nutrition
Nutrition of a pregnant woman should be BALANCED. Be sure to have a large amount of vitamins and minerals, especially iron and protein. A large amount of iron is found in the following foods: red meat, seafood, poultry, legumes. When consuming iron-rich foods, try to drink freshly squeezed citrus juices, which will help your body absorb minerals better. Do not forget about special multivitamin complexes for pregnant women.
2. Drink more fluids
Lack of fluid in the body leads to rapid fatigue, but do not overdo it in the third trimester, when there is a tendency to edema, especially before bedtime.
3. Exercise
If there are no contraindications and your doctor has no objection, try to exercise regularly. It will help to relax not only your body, but also charge you with positive. It is not necessary that this be a daily set of exercises, hiking in the fresh air is enough.
4. Help from loved ones
Do not refuse help, the care of your loved ones will be very necessary for you during this period. Not only do not refuse, but also ask for help yourself when you need it.
5. Rest
Relax more, try to spend a lot of time doing activities that give you pleasure and satisfaction and avoid stressful situations. Use special breathing techniques to relax. Rest more time, use every opportunity that falls to lie down to rest. If you are busy with work, be sure to take breaks, restore strength.
6. Third trimester
As for the third trimester of pregnancy, here, among other difficulties, there may be HEAVY AND FEELING OF TENSION IN THE lumbar. The baby has already grown up and gained weight, so long walks are becoming harder and harder. In such cases, prenatal bandages can be used to relieve heaviness in the back.
But the SPECIAL BANDAGE may not suit all women.
Many cannot choose the right and suitable option for themselves, because it can put pressure and create discomfort. 9 will help you in this situation.0030 sling scarf . You can tie up your stomach with them, and it will not squeeze the child, creating inconvenience, but will provide support for both the tummy and lower back.
Many expectant mothers who have tried SLING AS A BANDAGE noted that it is really more comfortable and pleasant than a special bandage. After childbirth, the sling will come in handy not only for carrying the baby, but also for tying up the pelvis and abdomen, which will help the uterus contract faster. Often, the bandage simply tamps down the lowered organs and flattens the stomach, while tying it with a sling will just lift and “put in place” the organs and fix the stomach.
For reference: in Mexico, for example, SLING, or rebozo, IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR MIDWIVES. Rebozo is used there not only for carrying children or as a part of the national costume, but also as an assistant to a pregnant woman.
