Third Trimester Exhaustion and Stress

Updated on January 03, 2013
J.G. asks from Chicago, IL
3 answers

I need suggestions for combating third trimester exhaustion! During the first trimester, I napped every afternoon. I've been trying to lay down for a little while everyday, but there is just still so much to do! I don't feel like I can relax for 1-2 hours every afternoon until I've finished my very long list.

I asked hubby to take a day or two off of work (he had no holiday left at the end of the last year so he only was home for the actual holidays), but he is swamped at work. He can't take time off to help me get things done, and I do feel this massive pressure to get everything done. Classes and co-op for the kids start up again next week, and I just do not know how I am going to (1) manage our everyday schedule, (2) get dinner on the table, and (3) finish preparing the house for baby! I am hopeful that I will have the nursery done by the end of next week, but since I am home birthing, I do need to totally clean the office. It's my "dumping" ground and there is always stuff on the bed, etc. So I have that to do still, and then I really need to organize my closet, the freezers, and start preparing food! Have I mentioned that I also need to come up with activity bags for the kids so that they have enough to do since I homeschool!

So, how do I handle this feeling of stress and my total exhaustion? Oh and did I mention I am also feeling "worried" that there is something wrong with me, be it gestational diabetes, preclampsia, etc. I'm petrified that my old body is going to land me in the hospital or produce a stillborn baby. I never thought this way with my other pregnancies, but this time around, I am worried everyday that something is going to go wrong! I dread the thought of ending up in the hospital.

Is this stuff hormonal? I feel like I'm losing it! (and I am getting up three times a night to pee!)

What can I do next?

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J.O.

answers from Detroit on

Oh wow, as I was reading my thought was simply that once the kids (age 2 and up; we start with early preschool and a lot of it) are in school, I can tackle all that. But if you homeschool, then, yeah, you don't have that time. :)

I would take time to lay down. But if the kids are always underfoot, that's hard. I always slept almost 24/7 the first trimester (even with the kids around, they played by my feet). Second I organized closets due to crazy energy, and no naps. Third I was napping/resting a lot again. With #5 it was the hardest b/c then I was caring for 4 kids, not much older than toddlers, plus the current baby who was 1. I never prepared any food. We live on cereal or whatever, a lot. Healthy stuff but it takes 0 minutes of my time. I don't have time to think about food!

Take time to rest! Good luck! :)

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A.K.

answers from Bloomington on

OK, maybe I'm just a super lazy person but I don't se how any of those things on your list , are more important than your rest.

So, here are a few of my thoughts... take em or leave em.

1) Schedule: find help, if you can't , make that the 1 thing you do.
2) Dinner: order in or make the easiest meals possible . Have your husband make dinner or help you prepare meals ahead on the weekends.
3) Preparing for baby: you really don't need to prepare much for a baby. They don't need that much to begin with. Do the bare minimum & only get necessities. Again, ask your husband for help. If he can't or won't follow through, ask friends.

Trust me, I know , easier said , than done.

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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

It sounds like you are used to being in "control" and not accustomed to asking for help. (Homeschooling, home-birth, freezing meals).

First, let go of the things you have no control over. It's perfectly normal to fear the possibility that something will go wrong. Most moms have a perfectly normal pregnancy and a perfectly normal birth. But there are moms who are not so lucky, and a c-section saved my life. Being in the hospital is hardly the worst thing that could happen to you. It might not be your first choice, but a healthy baby and a healthy mom is, so you have to try and let it go.

Second, you really need to prioritize. You do not have to do everything on your list. You don't have to have the nursery ready the moment the baby is born. You need a stack of diapers, a pack of wipes, a pile of onesies and a place for baby to sleep.

What if you don't have time to prepare and freeze meals? You'll eat sandwiches and cereal or you'll order pizza. You and the kids will not starve.

Activity bags for the kids sounds great. But if that doesn't get done, can't a grandparent or aunt or uncle simply read books with them? Or do puzzles with them? They really will be ok.

Is there anyone else, besides your husband, that can help you with some of these tasks? Does your husband have paternity leave or any sick time? While it might be nice to have his help now, I'd rather have it after the baby is born.

Take a deep breath and remember that everyone is going to be ok.

1 mom found this helpful
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