Fatigue in pregnancy: Everything you need to know

Christina is pregnant and just wants to sleep. She torments herself through the day and has no strength. Of course, at some point she wonders whether this is normal and what she can do about it. We want to answer these questions.

In a nutshell:

• Fatigue in pregnancy affects many women and is quite natural. The physical changes demand a lot from the body. It is often the case that in early pregnancy the fatigue begins, then flattens out and recurs later. When does fatigue subsides? In the fourth month, fatigue decreases because the body has become accustomed to the changes.
• Tips for fatigue: Drink enough, pay attention to your diet, improve light exercise, alternating showers and your sleeping environment.
• Persistent fatigue and simultaneous sadness or lack of interest could be a sign of depression. Clarify this with your doctor.

From when fatigue occurs in pregnancy

The pregnancy is classically divided into three trimesters. In these periods, a lot happens with body and baby. This leads to pregnancy fatigue.

Fatigue in the first third of pregnancy – first trimester

The first trimester is the period of fertilization until possible NT screening, also called neck wrinkle measurement. We are here between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy.

This first trimester is one of the most strenuous for the body. First physical changes are noticeable, such as a general discomfort and nausea. Severe fatigue is also an indication that it has worked with the desire to have children. The body is running at full speed and burns energy. It is therefore not uncommon to have to sleep for 18 hours. Other ailments such as heartburn, mood swings and convulsions are other symptoms that affect sleep quality.

Sometimes the extreme fatigue can be attributed to an iron deficiency, because the unborn needs a lot of iron for development. Your doctor will probably have already informed you of this. If not, then by no means act idiosyncratic, but have a possible need professionally clarified.

Fatigue in the second third of pregnancy – second trimester

The second trimester starts with the 13th week of pregnancy and lasts until the 27th. So you’re in the 4th. Until 6th month. The first exhausting time is over. The baby is about six centimetres tall, moves and the organs begin to work. At the end of the third of pregnancy, the baby is about 30 centimeters long.

With the rapid growth of the baby, the body also develops. What does that mean? Your body has now adjusted to the sharp changes at the beginning of pregnancy. You usually feel less tired and other symptoms such as discomfort subside. The abdomen becomes more rounded and at the same time the pregnancy more pleasant.

Fatigue in the drier third of pregnancy – third trimester

The third trimester is just around the corner. During this time, you probably feel like a marathon runner just before the finish line. The belly is large and the baby wants to be constantly active, it also reacts to external influences. In this last phase, fatigue increases again, mainly because finding a really good sleeping position becomes a life task.

The appearance of fatigue in pregnancy is a normal process. In the beginning, the body reacts with a stronger fatigue. In the second third of pregnancy, extreme fatigue often disappears and occurs only in phases. In the last part of the pregnancy, you are tired more often.

5 Tips For Fatigue in Pregnancy

Constantly tired and nothing helps? These 5 tips can help you finally get along better with fatigue:

1. The right diet. Eat smaller portions to have more energy. Be sure to eat healthy. Sweets are basically ok, but please only enjoy in moderation. The sweetness quickly provides energy through the sugar, but it only lasts for a short time. Iron deficiency may occur during pregnancy. You can therefore make sure that the foods contain iron.
2. Drink a lot. Water and juices help against fatigue. Be sure to drink less in the evening in order to be able to sleep better.
3. Light sport. Yoga and swimming are great sports to escape fatigue and stay fit.
4. Improve sleep quality. Our body loves really good sleep. A comfortable sleeping environment is also important. So make yourself comfortable. A few more tips: There should be no gap between the pillow and the head, otherwise you will wake up with tension. Clamp a pillow between your legs to relieve your hip.
5. Get the cycle going with alternating showers. Showering can work wonders. Alternating showers with warm and lukewarm water are good for blood circulation.

These tips will make it easier for you to shake off your tiredness. There are also things you should definitely do without. These are iron preparations to replenish your own iron balance and caffeine.

Is extreme fatigue normal?

Fatigue is often normal during pregnancy. Observe your symptoms and tell your doctor. In addition to routine examinations, it is better to pay attention to certain signs of the disease.

If you notice that you are very sad in addition to severe fatigue and feel powerless, then this could indicate prenatal depression. This can happen because your body is undergoing strong changes. Discuss the symptoms with your doctor and your doctor.

Conclusion on fatigue in pregnancy

Constant fatigue is annoying, but often nothing more than that. In the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, fatigue is common. With some activities, you can counteract the downturn. Drink a lot, do light sports, improve your sleep quality, pay attention to your diet and… if you are tired during pregnancy, feel a sadness and feel powerless, then tell your doctor.