Tired, Old and Pregnant or Just lazy?

[FirstTimeOldTimer]

I've namechanged for this. I am 42 and 14 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I am not working at the moment so I have a lot of free time. But I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time sleeping, in fact I can't seem to get enough sleep.

I could sleep 11 hours during the night, but crash back asleep for 3 hours after only being awake for three hours. In the three hours awake I would not have the energy to shower, just barely enough to get a bowl of cereal.

I know I am getting older and I know pregnancy is tiring but the tiredness I'm feeling is really worrying me. How will I cope when the baby comes?

I have suffered with clinical depression for 10 years but am currently very well, I am on Prozac 20 mgs per day under the Docs supervision.

I find myself having to ration my energy just for small tasks like going to the post office/washing my hair and housework is way down the list.

The midwife took bloods a few weeks ago just routinely, but have not heard anything back. I'm supposing they would contact me if anything was amiss?

Is this just my age combined with pregnancy or what.....does it seem 'normal' ???

At this stage of pregnancy it is perfectly normal. You will come out of the other side of it and have more energy. Not for too long though as then you will get big and heavy

Your age may be making it a bit worse. I've had 3 pregnancies spread over 8 years and definitely felt the difference.

None of the above. Just pregnant

Yes, its normal - I felt like that until about 16 weeks, then it got slightly better!

Congratulations, too!

My age this time (40) has definitely had an effect and I've found this pregnancy 10 times harder than I did with dd at 36. I feel 100 now and every day has been a struggle. So IME it's normal but age makes it worse!

Thanks everyone

I've been feeling quite guilty for being so crap when there is so much I want to be getting on with! Hopefully things improve after the pregnancy. Although I know 11 hours sleep will be a thing of the past then!

same here
40 in 6 weeks
15weeks pg
crushed by the tiredness

Sounds normal, sorry. A friend of a friend remarked that she was so tired that she was glad she knew she was pg as otherwise she would have thought there was something seriously wrong with her, like a brain tumour. It really is a whole new kind of tiredness.

(and I am five years younger than you and cannot stay awake!!)

all normal

It is probably just being pg, but I would also check that you are eating enough to give you energy, and also hope the blood tests included your thyroid function, as if that goes underactive you feel even more tired!

It is probably just being pg, but I would also check that you are eating enough to give you energy, and also hope the blood tests included your thyroid function, as if that goes underactive you feel even more tired!

It's definitely your age and your pregnancy. Make the most of it, and SLEEP whenever you can, because after it's out, you won't be able to!
I had four children when I was 26, 28 and 30, and then at 42. The last one was so much harder to cope with, but the other three kids were by then 12, 14 and 16 and gave me so much help, as did my DH and I just went to bed every afternoon, watching Watercolour Challenge and Countdown and didn't get up till dinner was on the table. It was great.
You will feel better after, but the night feeds etc will take it out of you too. Again, I had loads of willing helpers, which you won't have as it is your first. But accept helpl from anyone who offers!

My advice to my step daughter who has a one year old now, was "If anyone offers to help you, have a list of chores you need doing and do NOT let them look after the baby while it sleeps in their arms and YOU do the chores" plus "if your MIL or own Mum offer to help, get them to take the baby for a night so you and your hubby get some peace and quiet."
And other advice I gave her was "make sure you have a good laxative after giving birth, because the last thing you want to do is strain".
I think she has followed my advice.