Dh says I look run down, he's probaby right but how can I perk myself up?

[Enid]

I am 16 weeks pg btw.

But have terrible rashy skin, no energy, feel quite low and generally feel as though I am about to get flu. Have had cough for weeks too.

Anyway I know a lot of it is prob pg related, but what can I do to try and get a bit of sparkle back? I sleep quite well and eat well (although drinking coca cola atm to help get through the day).

Any tips?

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[fairyfly]

Loads and loads and loads of water.

[Enid]

unfortunately I spent £40 on a facial a couple of weeks ago and it just made things worse.

am going to have hair cut today.

I dont like fruit juice

[Avalon]

No energy and shortness of breath? - take some iron supplements with doctor's advice.

[wilbur]

I had terrible rashes and dry skin all thru last preg to the point where they decided to test my liver function due to the itching (it was fine). Huge improvement after I started relgiously drinking 2 litres of water a day, fill a bottle in the am and make sure it's gone by the end of the day. Stop drinking that Coke! I also think Zita West's preg vitamins are excellent, although they a bit ££. Her Essential DHA seemed to help with the blahs.

[Enid]

have enormous iron stores apparently

have low bp

all tests have a big tick by them

[motherinferior]

You're probably slightly ill. I know I've just had a vile and exhausting cold. The positive side of this is that it will pass.

I am sorry. Sleep has worked well for me (went to sleep at 9pm the other night) but then I had a deficit.

You won't be pregnant forever, of course

[Avalon]

Take a general multivitamin? Drinking loads of coke will flush out water soluble vits.

Isn't Echinicea (sp) supposed to be good for boosting the immune system? Don't know if you can take during pregnancy, though.

[Enid]

yes feel as though am getting ill

wish it would just come out

maybe I should...da da da...take some supplements

[fennel]

get a cleaner if possible

go for long wholesome autumn walks to get a bloom in your cheeks?

sleep in the afternoons

have fewer children

accept you'll be looking grim for the next year or two

get used to no sympathy from anyone as you're clearly mad, in most people's eyes, to have a 3rd child - that's what i foudn with my 3rd anyway

eat lots of dark leafy veg.

[Enid]

i cant accept the looking grim thing

lol you are right about the sympathy. beginning to think I have bitten off more than I can chew tbh.

[motherinferior]

Haircut will help, or that's what I'm telling myself (having one on Saturday).

Fennel, I've seen your pic and you don't look grim. I, on the other hand...

[Enid]

yes I'm splashing out and having highlights too

[fennel]

MI - pic was taken BEFORE any dds! have not replaced it because most subsequent photos look too grim....

[motherinferior]

Also, Enid, can you answer my choc pud further query please?

[Enid]

yes

have seen it

have lovely recipe but its at home and I cant remember which book its in

I can mail it to you tonight if not too late

[Enid]

also remember nigel slaters bread and butter pud made with pain au chocolate - really really good

[motherinferior]

As this is a Christmas-related enquiry it's far from too late. Am just researching stuff I'd rather eat than Christmas sodding pudding.

[motherinferior]

They won't eat b'n'b pud, the ingrates.

[wilbur]

Can't take echinacea while preg or bfing, avalon, unfortunately as I use it every winter otherwise. Marvellous stuff.

[wilbur]

Won't eat b&b pud, MI!!! How can that be? Surely everyone loves b&b pud (can you tell it's my favourite )?.

[motherinferior]

Quite, Wilbur. Everyone I know loves the stuff except for the three other inhabitants of the Inferiority Complex.

Enid, you could also try acupuncture - a five elements practitioner would definitely say that a lot of what you are feeling is 'change of season' related.

[Enid]

yes!

I had acupuncture all through being pg with dd2 and it was a godsend. Not quite sure how I afforded it though. Am very broke.

[motherinferior]

When's the payrise?

Also, I hate to point this out, but presumably you will be paying a bit more in childcare after you've had the baby so can't you kind of justify this as an advance payment?

[bundle]

central heating does no favours for the skin too