Pregnancy Exhaustion

I was like that with all of my pregnancies during the first trimester. I used to have to pull over and nap on the way to and from work and sometimes pretend I was going out for an iced tea in the afternoon and really I'd sleep in my car in the parking lot. I always felt better a few weeks into the 2nd trimester. You're probably through the worst of it. If it continues, can you hire a mother's helper in the afternoon? A tween/young teen would make about $5 an hour. Maybe there's a neighborhood girl who could come over for an hour or two after school to play with the kids while you rest?

Hi J.,

Congrats! may a suggest you make a green smoothie around 2-3pm? 1 apple, berries, some kale. it doesn't have to be sweet. you can also add a handful of cashews or almonds and if needed. have fun making some recipes. some people add bananas but I'd rather eat them than drink them. if you have pitted dates can use to sweeten it and added fiber bonus. make sure you're getting enough vitamin D, omega-3's and b vitamins. yes it will get better. God Bless! ~C.~

I hate to tell you this, but I felt that way my entire pregnancy. I couldn't even imagine having other kids to take care of. On top of it I was extremely nauseated the first three months. OMG, I don't know how I got through it.

hang in there, the good news is that pregnancy is temporary.

I might suggest asking a relative or babysitter to take your other kids on outings to give you a break.

If the work outs are not giving you energy or releasing stress, but are adding to the stress and exhaustion, then you may want to stop them until you feel better-and you will feel better soon-it could literally be any day now!

Thank you for describing how I feel. :) I am 3 weeks and it's just beginning...I have a 1, 3, 4 and 6-year-old, too. My last 3 pregnancies I was on the couch almost 24/7 all day. I was tired to the point where I didn't understand how people can be pregnant and lead normal lives. I also had nausea on and off all the time. And I always get 9-10 hours of sleep, so it's not like I wasn't sleeping at night.

Maybe fatigue hits me harder than most? Now with #5, here is what I did:
1. The 3-year I put in preschool 11:45 to 4:30 every day except Monday. That way, I can get a long nap when my 1-year-old naps in the afternoon. (And the 4 and 6-year-old are both at school, too, then!). And the more they are out of the house, the less they are around a grumpy pregnant mom (which really, I feel they deserve better). Better a long school day with smiling teachers than a grumpy, tired mom at home.
2. I joined a gym with a pool and childcare and will go 3 mornings a week to exercise. I'll start the pool once I'm too uncomfy to do land stuff. I will not use pregnancy as an excuse not to exercise. So, off I go...

I always found I was least tired second trimester. And yes, we've done cereal every day throughout pregnancies or easy food. It's just trying to survive one day at a time.

Congrats J.! Yes, this is quite normal for your stage of pregnancy. I remember in my first trimester, the exhaustion was more than I thought possible (I'm 25 weeks now).

Give yourself a break, literally. So, your kids can wear pajamas all day (or run around naked). So, the dishes can go unwashed. You do what you can. Those day-to-day tasks will wait for you to feel better, and you will, soon.

Try to make sure you are eating healthy and taking your vitamins. Junk food will make it worse (at least, it did in my experience). Eat lots of healthy proteins like lean meat and fish (make sure the fish is pregnancy-safe), and dairy products.

Get a family member to watch the kids for a few hours while you have a sleep fest.

It will pass soon.

Didn't this happen with your other kids? First trimester is exhausting. You mention easy burger nights and take out food - that's not necessarily healthy. Check that...

Get the rest. Exercise properly - it's okay to be active with your kids, but do rest in between.

When's your next ob appointment? Ask your doc to check your hemoglobin and thyroid.

Good luck!
Dawn