Posting for traffic - I desperately need advice on my fatigue

[GreyAndCopper]

Posted this on the pregnancy boards but got no response and I'm just really needing some advice please if that's okay. Sorry for hijacking AIBU.

I'm really struggling with fatigue. I'm 26 + 5 and it's been really bad especially the past three weeks. I take 5mg folic acid and pregnacare, but nothing seems to help and I'm starting to feel really down about it because I feel so lazy. Today I slept until 1pm, I went to bed last night at 12am so I slept for 13 hours. Other nights I will go to sleep at 10:30pm and still sleep in. I wake up from a deep sleep and get breakfast but then straight away I'm falling back asleep in bed til ridiculous hours. I've taken the last two weeks off work because I'm a journalist and my concentration and motivation has gone out of the window and I just can't keep up the quality of work that is expected of me. This is also putting pressure on me because I feel like I'm letting my work down and due to taking time off previously my average hours are 3 x a week so I'm only getting three days sick pay minus tax. I have a second job which is easier for me but I'm of course not allowed to do that while off sick.

Just now I had a bath and I lay down to wash my hair and I felt dizzy and like I was going to pass out. Now I'm upstairs and I have absolutely no motivation to dry it I just want to sleep.

Any advice on what I can do, or has anyone experienced this? Everyone said the second trimester would be easier but I haven't felt that at all. I could sleep for the next three months.

GP for blood tests.
Are you eating enough?
Are you drinking enough water?

I'll call my GP tomorrow. I'm eating enough yes, both healthily and some treats, lots of fish, greens etc. And I drink constantly throughout the day! @MGC31

Definitely go to your GP.
I'm also 26 weeks and I would say I feel knackered and it's taking me longer to crack on with normal household stuff but definitely not to the extent you describe. I would ask for blood tests I think

I'd get your iron checked.

Do you need iron tablets, which is often the case in pregnancy?

iron!

I'm not sure. They said my iron was 8 last time so not enough to be considered low iron which is 6? I'm on 5mg folic acid which I thought would be enough to help. Are there iron tablets safe for pregnancy that I can get over the counter? I doubt I'll be able to get a GP appointment for this week as it's not emergency, so anything I can do in the mean time to help would be great. @2020BetterBeBetter

It’s typically standard to have a blood test at 28 weeks that checks your iron levels. Most pregnancy multivitamins have iron in but often it’s not enough. When is your next midwife appointment? It shouldn’t be much more than a week away.

I had this. Utterly exhausted, then had a blood test and turned out I was severely diabetic (gestational only) . Weirdest kind of 'I literally cannot move' tiredness I've ever experienced. Please get an appt ASAP just to be safe!