Tiredness - how can you boost your energy in PG

[FindingStuffToChuckOut]

I'm 24 weeks have have been pretty tired throughout, but the last month has been dreadful. I'm really struggling at work. It's a desk job so nothing arduous, though it can be mentally demanding. My performance here is really suffering.

I am going to bed pretty early and some mornings even don't feel too bad but as soon as I reach the office I just want to lie down under my desk.

Diet is pretty good, I have muesli breakfast (ie I don't think I'm having sugar driven energy peaks/slumps). Got to get through 3 more months of work & would like to hold my own.

First PG wasn't nearly so bad as this - I am 43 so I'm blaming it on being old, and not getting the exercise I was when PG with DD. I've just brought a maternity pillow & am hoping that will increase quality of my sleep a little.

Anyone else struggling? Any energy boosting tips?

Am nearly 31 weeks and tiredness is kicking in big time. I woke up to get ready for work this morning but I just felt exhausted. Have you had iron levels checked? Spatone has had v good reviews as it doesn't cause constipation.

good call re iron levels - I will ask DR when I see him next week.

I agree with sh77, definitely get your iron checked. I was knackered with DD and DS, but this time I've been taking spatone (I've only seen my midwife once so no idea of my iron levels) I don't know if it's that or not, but I really have much more energy this pg. I had assumed that running round after two kids would make this pg really hard, but it feels quite the opposite.

Perhaps try eating foods with low gi too. Also, how do you get to work? I've found that doing the school run gives me quite a boost. Just the twenty minutes of extra fresh air twice a day really seems to help. Perhaps if you could walk to work it might help to wake up in the mornings.

I'm going Spatone hunting on the way home from work tonight.

I bus & walk to work - so I do get a bit of exercise getting to & from.

I wouldn't take extra iron if you don't need it - get your bloods checked first.

my haem levels were borderline when I had bloods at booking - I completely forgot about it though IRO the tiredness.

Will cut out coffee/tea in the meantime (I'm on decafe but it still inhibits absorption of iron)

i am nearly 24 weeks, age 35, pg with 1st child... i have been doing yoga daily and eating no added sugars / processed foods and drinking no tea/coffee. i think this has really helped me maintain healthy energy levels. try doing breathing excercises if you are not into yoga. i wouldn't take iron pills -- it's better eat pommegranates, grapes, tomatoes and leafy greens instead... if you have the means, i would recommend seeing a nutritionist. do try to get some excercise daily, whether it is walking or doing excercises from DVD... hope you feel better.

thanks lilly - yes yoga def helps. I practiced yoga regularly up to & throughout my first PG and swum several km's a week, it really did keep me feeling in tip top shape with lots of energy.

It's a lot different with baby #2 though esp as I work FT - no time for regular swimming, no gym membership or regular yoga classes and no PG yoga classes near me anymore :(. I've got a good yoga DVD but confess I've not actually done it yet (though I know how much better life will be if I do but our flat is tiny & I really don't feel like getting my PG butt in DP's face in the evening). Once DD is in bed I NEED to eat, and then it's nearly 9 etc etc So yoga is just not fitting in with current lifestyle & living arrangements.

Will get iron levels tested next week - it's a strange kind of tiredness/exhaustion & I suspect low levels may have something to do with it. In the meantime I've cut out decafe coffee & tea & other absorption inhibitors, and am making sure I eat more iron rich foods. My diet is pretty good already though.

My advice is make sure you know your rights relating to pregnancy, health and the workplace. I work for a pretty decent responsible company, and they were still clueless about mitigating health risks for pregnant employees.

Have you talked to your employers about reducing your hours or taking more frequent rest breaks (which you are entitled to, see link)? Have they done a health risk assessment for you? Sorry if teaching you to such eggs seeing as this is your second.

I didn't know all this stuff, totally conked out at around 26 weeks and had to be signed off work. I expect any employer would rather have their employee reduce their hours a bit than for them to have to take sick leave.

Hope that helps ? good luck!

I hadn't thought about it that way balena but I don't think a work health assessment is necessary (yet anyway).

I work for a small company and my employers are incredibly supportive, understanding & accommodating - have been for 10 years.

power naps if you can, that helps me. I get to a point where I can't keep my eyes open. Just 10 minutes sometimes can help. Each preg is different though you could be 21 and still be knackered x

Berocca. And loads of water. More than you think you need - I was on around 4 litres a day I reckon.

good call re the water - doubt I'm drinking enough.

I had spatone in two pregnancy's that really helped, as it's a natural mineral water, no crap and anyone can take it, even if your iron is ok it's worth it! I get it from holland and barrets but think sainsbury's sell it too! And caffeine inhibits the intake of iron which yes, unfortunately includes chocolate! Especially tea and coffee! Good luck!

I'm taking Spatone and am finding I have a bit more energy, so second that.

But otherwise, my only other tip is to get as much rest as you can - I've had to cut back massively on social and other activities. Relatively easy for me as DH and I are on our first child, but I imagine a whole lot harder if you already have one or more DC.

I had similar exhaustion feeling come on at around 30 weeks and it was my iron.
Its hard to manage so if you are prescribed iron tablets be careful of what interacts with it.
Its not the caffeine that inhibits iron absorption its the polyphenols in coffee and tea that do it, which is why decaf does it too.
Dairy also inhibits iron and its a myth that spinach is good for iron as although it has loads it also contains another absorption inhibitor.
Generally its harder to get the iron out of plant sources than meat, but vitamin C does help absorption, so try and have OJ with meals.
Dried apricots and raisins are another good source. Baked beans and brown bread toast for breakfast would be good for iron too.
Try not to have any iron inhibitor things two hours before or after an iron rich meal.
Its a right pain, but if that is what is causing the tiredness it will help.

thanks meded - some great tips there.
I'm already doing the brown bread/baked beans/dried apricots/raisins/vit c things etc.

Doc just called and I am slightly anaemic so I'm going to try SpaTone (thanks for the recommendations everyone) and I will now cut out coffee & tea - boo hoo :( . I'm a big fan of herbal teas, but seem to really hanker for coffee & tea when PG.

Still it's good to know I can perhaps do something about it.

I also brought one of those full body curvy pillows for PG people & my sleep has vastly improved this last week, so I'm feeling better for that already.

So glad I saw this post, there are days I could literally fall asleep on my desk, I can't concentrate - I feel so lazy and the GUILT because I am doing a lot less work than I should be. 33weeks so only 4more at work, luckily I can work from home here and there but actually its worse because there is a sofa and a bed there, its too tempting!

Am going to ask my midwife about iron deficiany because its definately not lack of sleep - i get plenty of that.