Trimester Fatigue – Survival Tricks

As exciting as being pregnant can be, it comes with its own share of challenges. During the first trimester most women experience enormous fatigue. Fatigue, according to Collins dictionary, is tiredness, drain of energy or exhaustion.

According to March of dimes, “though it varies from person to person, most pregnant women feel tired especially in the first and third trimester” It is not the usual fatigue but a case of feeling extremely worn out, sleepy and without energy While there may be no much physical change at this point, the body is going through transformation as the baby grows.

Causes

At the onset of pregnancy the body produces the hormone progesterone that leads to a sense of lethargy and drowsiness. The body also generates extra blood to take nutrients to the baby. This additional blood causes the heart and other organs to work harder. These changes may contribute to fatigue. Other factors like physical or psychological changes during pregnancy may result in emotional and mental stress.
This is turn may add to feeling of exhaustion.

Further on, the extra weight of the baby will put a strain on a woman’s body leading to even more fatigue. Other reasons that may cause fatigue at the later stage in pregnancy are frequent urination at night, heart burn, insomnia or sleep deprivation and night e.g cramps. Another cause may be anemia especially from iron-deficiency This condition affects approximately half of all pregnant women

A pregnant woman’s need for iron intensifies because of the baby’s requirements, increase of blood production by the body as well as blood loss that takes place during birth”.

Dealing with fatigue
There are simple things you can do to ease fatigue and make the journey pleasant

■ Plenty of rest: take short naps regularly to replenish yourself. Rest whenever you need to get some rest, and get as much of it as you possibly can. Make a habit of relaxing on your left hand side while in bed. This brings your body to come to a halt, allowing you to re energize. Have a consistent sleeping pattern by going to bed around the same hour each day. Sleep on a comfortable firm mattress. Make sure you obey your body’s rest needs.

■ Stay active: You may not feel like exercising but this is the way to boost your energy However, ensure you consult your doctor before beginning any exercise regime. Through exercise, the body releases the hormone serotonin which boosts one’s moods Take a walk under the sun as it releases endorphins which give one a sense of euphoria.

■ Reorganize your schedule: Assess your life and make charges where needed. Delegate your hard duties to another person to save up on your energy. If you work in a flexible organization you can work half day in order to rest in the afternoons If you must work, take some few minutes regularly to rest

■ Eat healthy: Eat a balanced diet consisting of the five basic food types – vegetables, fruits, whole grams, lean meat and skimmed milk. Your body needs nutrients as it embarks on forming your baby and keeping you healthy Eat six small meals throughout the day with snacks in between. Avoid junk food for it has no nutritious value and may contribute to unnecessary calories Avoid cultured or sugary foods; they give you a momentary high then leave you feeling hungry shortly, bat foods rich in fiber as they leave you feeling full for a long period of time. Refrain from caffeine at all costs and instead take plenty of water. Have a bottle or glass of water to sip from throughout the day to replenish your body fluids.

■ See your doctor: During your antenatal visits, make sure you mention the fatigue issue to your Caregiver. Sometimes fatigue may be a sign of inadequate iron levels in your body. The doctor may order a blood test and advise you on the results of the analysis. He may suggest you eat iron-rich foods such as liver, beans, spinach or others.

He may also prescribe for you an iron supplement. If the problem lingers even after this then talk to your doctor to rule out other problems like depression

Wardrobe Challenges

The second trimester usually dubbed the ‘honeymoon period’ brings with it great relief for most women. They find that they have a little more energy than in the previous trimester. For most, it signals the end of the irritating ‘morning sickness’ This is wonderful news for most women as they finally get to own and enjoy being pregnant. It is also a time of preparing for the baby by shopping, choosing the name or deciding on the place of delivery. This time the belly is showing and a mom may begin to experience the flattering baby kicks. However, this season brings significant wardrobe challenges. Most moms find it hard to transition to a new body size as they struggle to shop for new clothes.

This rapid growth may make cause pressure to new moms-to-be. To avert this Stick to Simple loose fitting clothing that will be comfortable when it is hot or keep you warm when it is freezing Avoid very tight clothing that would abnormally raise your body temperature. Buy inexpensive clothing as you will outgrow them shortly. Overall, the second trimester is a great time to embrace pregnancy as you lay back and enjoy every minute. Savour these moments by taking photos of yourself and jot memories in a journal as this period flies by so fast.

By the third trimester there is a substantial growth of the belly Usually by the seventh month, most women begin to experience the return of fatigue Most of the discomforts experienced during the first trimester seem to revisit a woman at this point This is mainly brought by enlargement of the belly as a result of the baby’s growth Finding the right clothes becomes an ever more daunting task and especially with two piece outfits. Most women find their energy level decreasing with their feet and back getting more of the impact because of carrying the extra weight all around all day long.

But perhaps the most difficult but indispensable tasks during the third trimester is finding the right sleeping position. Many women toss and turn from the discomfort brought about by the enlarged belly. It also becomes monotonous sleeping on the sides Some women stay up to read or do laundry due to lack of sleep, unfortunately this only aggravates the fatigue. By the time one wakes up the following day she has no energy to go about any business

In the end, take matters in stride; get to realise that your body is going through major changes as it forms your baby, and this is a natural process. Usually your energy level will normalise after the pregnancy. For now adjust and accommodate the changes by having a positive attitude.

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