to cry over being tired?

[CherryAide]

I'm 32 weeks pregnant. Woke up this morning as I need to go to work. Getting gradually more exhausted and just getting out of bed is awful because I sleep so badly. I've cried a few times this week just because I'm so tired and can't function properly but I have to go to work. Not sure if crying because I'm emotional, or drained, or need more sleep. I'm not usually a crier.

Has anyone else found that exhaustion/pregnancy has had this effect? I feel a bit pathetic and trying to hide my exhaustion at work makes it even worse...

I remember this part well and you are definitely NBU.

Have you had time off work? Are they able to accommodate your tiredness by offering reduced hours for a few weeks or allowing you to WFH?

If it's so bad that you're crying, you need to rest. Have you considered taking your mat leave early?

Yanbu. I remember several episodes of crying from exhaustion. For me is was after baby was born but I can well imagine it happening other times too.

When I was heavily pregnant with my DS I was a tutor and I fell asleep while listening to a child read Luckily I woke up before he properly noticed. Late pregnancy exhaustion is hideous. Is there any chance you can start your maternity leave?

Have you had your iron levels checked recently? Taken a supplement? It really is horrid.

@Hooli so I'm normal? I'm exhausted. I think about the fact that I still have 10 weeks left potentially and it makes me so anxious.

I have 5 weeks left of work but can't afford to go early (I don't get a great package so would lose out on a significant chunk of time with baby).

I've asked about reducing my hours but apparently this would affect my maternity pay so am being forced to stay full time until 37 weeks. Money makes the world go round and all that...

My iron levels are super low. I'm on ferrous sulphate as they're currently too low to even be accepted on to MLU! Rising slowly though...

I took leave from about 30 weeks. Initially just a Wednesday afternoon, and then a whole Wednesday. Do you work somewhere where breaking up the week would be possible?
Otherwise, it's just a case of doing as little as possible after work, and getting into bed as early as possible.
Consider when to start Maternity Leave.

Totally normal ( I hope) CherryAide
I am 36 weeks and have been all over the place on and off for weeks.
I have days, or a few days in a row whete I am fine, then I might cry at least once every day for several days.
Tinybthings can set me off and being over tired is definitely one of them.

Re work- usually mat pay is determined by your work over a set period. Our is an 8 week period from 17-25 weeks I think.
Might be worth you contacting HR yourself directly if it is your boss that is being an arse.
Also try to make it clear that you asking for a temporary reduction in hours under their flexi working policy (if they have one).

If all else fails, and you get sick pay, I say fuck 'em and GO off sick.

It might be that you go back after a week or so, or that you just stay off.

Just check what happens re mat leave starting early.
Ours kicks in automatically if you are off sick with pregnancy related illness from 36 weeks

If that's the case re you It in levels, then definitely go off sick for a few weeks!

Mine has been low and it's awful.
A whole extra layer of exhaustion.

You poor thing, I have cried with tiredness but again it was when baby was already here (reflux kid).
If taking mat leave early isn't an option, could you take a few days off just to regroup? Say thurs/Fri then the weekend?
I had v low iron in pregnancy and afterwards and those iron tablets were useless for me- I used spatone in orange juice and increased red meat/green veg plus vit c. It made a big difference for me.
The low iron totally saps your energy so hopefully getting this sorted will help you too x

Crying with tiredness is completely normal.

DP really irritated me this morning too by calling me lazy. I'm just in a horrid, tired mood. Going to work now and still haven't had breakfast. Going to have some when I get there, I'm sure my managers will be over the moon with that but I couldn't bring myself to eat this morning without gagging.

Where is all this pregnancy glow people talk about?!

Tell DH to grow another human and see just how chipper he feels.

Pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep - a definite pass for crying lass. Have a hug and a handhold.

Thanks @MrsMozart - I wish people at work would understand too rather than bombarding you with requests for assistance and support etc. I know that as soon as I mention that I need to slow down people will start rolling their eyes at me. Guaranteed (although I work in a lovely office with lovely people). There are also some fairly judgemental folks in my office who are likely to make life difficult.

Let them eye roll lass. There's a limit to what you can do and that's just how it is.

Be careful about going off sick. If you go off sick with a pregnancy related illness they can put you on mat leave against your will

@MagnaDoodle this is the exact reason I haven't gone off sick. I also don't get paid for my sick leave so again it can affect what I get for my maternity leave and will leave me out of pocket. It's shit but I would rather plough in through and have time with baby after.

I’m sorry you’re feeling so tired. It is hard and rubbish. I’m concerned about you saying that shortening your hours now will reduce your maternity pay though. Please check this out as I thought it was based on your earnings earlier in your pregnancy? It was a while ago though, so I may have remembered wrongly.

I second spatone. Yes end of preg tiredness is hideous. Grr men can be so unsympathetic sometimes. I wish they could carry children.

Aww poor you. I had sickness throughout my pregnancy and was exhausted. I just got into work as soon as I could. I also used to sleep in 30 mins more. I remember sitting on the toilet at work just to close my eyes for a bit. My boss was ok that I made it in when I could. I felt sick always until lunchtime and sick every morning. It is exhausting. Try to keep your energy levels up with food. Maybe go into work a bit later so you have a lie in? You will get through it I promise. Don’t worry too much about the crying it’s normal. Best wishes xx

I’m not pregnant, my youngest is 4 and I still cry when I’m tired. Like proper, exhausted, overwhelmed tired, not all the time.

@MagnaDoodle

"Be careful about going off sick. If you go off sick with a pregnancy related illness they can put you on mat leave against your will"

This is only in the last 4 weeks before your expected due date OP - if you're sick before then they can't make you start Maternity Leave early.

Oh OP I remember this bit and had super low iron as well it's like walking through bloody treacle isn't It?

If it's any consolation I cried through tiredness yesterday and mine are nearly 6 and 3 (I promise it's not as often these days just a rough day)

There will always be rolling of eyes about this ...screw em....sometimes even people with DC forget how exhausting pregnancy and parenting is (once whilst pregnant I fell asleep in my office , fortunately was found by my deputy who very kindly just dropped a file loudly and opened the window to keep me awake)

At least once they are born you get to have coffee again

(Your DH needs a though....no bloody such thing as a lazy pregnant woman ....lets see how he would cope )

Can’t believe your OH called you lazy! I feel so angry on your behalf. Pregnancy is HARD, having low iron is BRUTAL. All the while your OH can just bop along with no changes to him. He sounds like a Grand Wizard in Cuntery.

Being exhausted is totally normal but especially since you have low iron and are still working.
Soon your baby will be here and even though new babies can be hard, they sleep a LOT. So look forward to sleeping when baby sleeps!

I cry from exhaustion when not pregnant so yes, totally normal!