Extreme Fatigue in 1st Trimester Pregnancy

Seriously... I am trying to stay awake as i type this.......... This is what i have been reduced to these past weeks. A sleepyhead. Very unbecoming of someone climbing the coporate ladder. But, with the huge hormonal change and rage, i have found it hard to NOT yawn at 11am.

 

 

 

My production level has dropped to a 10 from the 110 that i have been giving at work. I feel so useless and can't imagine what other effect it will have on my job. As usual, i Google-ed this symptom and apparently its normal! And it will last till i reach 2nd trimester! Homai!! That is more than a month away... How will i get thru it.
 

--------------------------------------

 

From babycentre.com:

Is it common to be exhausted when you're pregnant?

Fatigue is particularly common during the first trimester and tends to return in late pregnancy. Some women feel tired throughout pregnancy, however, and some hardly seem to slow down at all.
Many women feel constantly tired in early pregnancy, even before they're showing or carrying any extra weight. Even night owls may find themselves struggling to stay awake long enough to watch their favorite eight o'clock show.

No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that hormonal changes – in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone – are at least partly to blame. It's also hard to get a good night's sleep if you're uncomfortable or getting up to use the bathroom frequently.

Nausea and vomiting can certainly cost you energy. You may also be feeling anxious about your pregnancy, which can be draining. Add it all up and it's no wonder you feel as though you've run a marathon by the end of the day.

Note that if you're feeling sad or hopeless, depression may be partly to blame for your fatigue or sleeplessness. If you feel unable to handle your daily responsibilities or are having thoughts of harming yourself, call your doctor or midwife immediately for a referral to a counselor.

Fatigue can also be a symptom of iron-deficiency anemia, which is not uncommon in pregnancy. (You may not have any symptoms, however, if you're only mildly anemic.) Your practitioner will test your blood for this condition at your first prenatal visit and again in your late second trimester or early third trimester.

How long will this feeling last?

It's different for everyone, but you'll probably start to feel like your old self during your second trimester. Then you'll probably begin to lose steam again by the time you're around seven months pregnant.

Inside pregnancy: Weeks 1 to 9

See all videos

At that point you'll be carrying more weight and may be having trouble sleeping well for a variety of reasons, including backache, heartburn, leg cramps or restless legs syndrome, the baby moving around, and especially the need to pee frequently.

What can I do to cope?

Heed your body's signals. Start by going to bed earlier than usual. And make a habit of taking a nap during the day. Even a 15-minute catnap can make a difference, so if you work in an office and you're lucky enough to have a door, shut it, put your head down on your desk, and rest. Or get creative: Look for an empty lounge or conference room or lie down in the back seat of your car.

Try to adjust your schedule. Cut out unnecessary social commitments and let the housework slide. If you work outside the home, see if you can cut back on your hours or arrange to take work home over the weekend so you can cut out early once in a while. Take an occasional vacation day in the middle of the week (or a sick day if you're not feeling well). If you're a stay-at-home mom, give yourself a break now and then and leave your children with someone else so you can catch up on your sleep.

Make sure you're eating right. You need about 300 extra calories every day – and we're not talking about potato chips and candy bars. A healthy diet made up of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, skim milk, and lean meats can be energizing. Junk food, by contrast, actually saps you of vim and vigor. Snack on healthy foods like fruit and yogurt.
Keep well hydrated. Cut back on caffeine and make sure you're drinking plenty of water. If frequent urination is keeping you up at night, try cutting back your fluid intake a few hours before bedtime and make up for it during the day.

Get some moderate exercise every day. You may feel like you barely have the energy to make it through the day, let alone exercise. But moderate activity, such as a short walk, can actually make you feel better. So unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, make exercise part of your daily routine. Also, try to take frequent breaks throughout your day to stretch and breathe deeply.

Hang in there. If first-trimester fatigue is getting you down, take heart that soon enough you'll be in your second trimester and raring to go again. You may even be up to taking in the late show or going on a weekend getaway. If you're nearing the end of your pregnancy, you'll be a new mom before you know it, looking back on this period of relatively undisturbed nights with bleary-eyed nostalgia. So consider stocking up on your zz's while you can.

 

 for now...

ZzzZZzzZzzzzzzzzzzz..............

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My progress: 7W 4D

Development details, click: here