Tiredness, particularly in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, can be a real problem for many women, no matter how fit you are.In the 1st trimester, the rush of pregnancy hormones can make you feel really tired and sleepy, while in the 3rd trimester, tiredness is associated with the fact that your body is working hard to support both you and your growing baby, plus the fact that you may be finding it more difficult to sleep well at nights.
Here are a few tips to help you cope:
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Remember that fatigue is the body’s way of telling you to take a rest, so don’t ignore it. Remember the old adage, it’s better to sit than stand, and better to lie down than sit.
 If you possibly can, have a nap during the day. If you work full time, then try and have a nap at the weekend.
If you feel tired in the evening, have an early night.
If you already have children, get your partner to take them out to the park or to visit friends so that you can just put your feet up.
If you are finding the stress of getting to work becoming more and more of a problem, discuss with your employer whether or not you could perhaps start earlier and leave earlier to avoid travelling in rush hours.
Make sure you are eating well, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. A bar of chocolate may give you a quick ‘sugar rush’, but it won’t give you the long term energy that small, well-balanced meal will do.
Make sure your partner knows where the vacuum cleaner, washing machine, tumble dryer and ironing board are, and that he knows how to use them!
Take as much exercise as possible – go for a walk in the park, or try swimming regularly which is a great low-impact exercise regime.
Many women find alternative therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, shiatsu or reflexology relaxing, but make sure before you start that you choose a qualified practitioner and that they know that you are pregnant.
A gentle massage from your partner can work wonders at boosting your energy! |
