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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How much do you do in a day

43 replies

Mistyautumn · 30/07/2014 11:45

I am on mat leave now and am finding it frustrating not getting as much as I want done. I am looking at a pile if ironing and washing up that I need to do and I just can't find the energy.

I really want to get the house all ready for baby's arrival but can't seem to get on top of it. I just feel really guilty as I thought when I wasn't working full time I would manage to get it all sorted. Please tell me I am not alone!

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AntoinetteCosway · 30/07/2014 11:51

Absolutely not alone. I have done a load of laundry and hung it outside today and was feeling hugely smug and proud of myself until I looked out the window and realised it looks like rain. I can't bring myself to get off the sofa to go and bring it in! So it might just get rained on

squizita · 30/07/2014 11:56

YES! I had a complete meltdown (IRL and on here) about this this other day.

It's so frustrating because you know 'normal' you could do it but 'pregnant' you can't!!

I am breaking it down and doing what needs doing. I have also bribed my mum with a lunch out to do some tasks.
DH is also on board, told him he will need to know how to do all this if he doesn't want a bombsite of a house for the next 18 years! He's actually quite proud of helping out, like "yeah, I'm doing dad things already, I'm going to be a highly skilled ninja dad!" :)

Right now I am letting some foamy cleaner spray 'work' on my kitchen. 3 minutes my arse, it will be for as long as this cuppa takes...

Woodl3s · 30/07/2014 12:02

I'm only 20 weeks and I feel like this! The other day before y shift started, all I did was lie down and sleep! The house was a mess and I knew I should have been getting on with the ironing, washing, etc but couldn't physically do it. I also feel guilty because I only work 4 days a week (shift work) and my dp works 7 days a week, so I know I should be making sure the house is nice and tidy for him as he doesn't have the energy to do it when he comes in.

Me23 · 30/07/2014 12:12

I'm struggling a lot I would be anyway but I have severe anaemia on top of normal pregnancy tiredness has me totally wiped out! My haemoglobin level is at 8.5 and ferritin only 5. It is almost impossible to walk up the stairs or do anything without feeling like I will collapse. I also have 2 other kids to look after consequently the house is a state.

Em1503 · 30/07/2014 12:38

I'm overdue so have been on maternity leave for 4 weeks now. I started off with loads of energy but gradually have had to slow down loads. I'd say don't push yourself too much as I did that on some days and I paid for it the next. Just take it easy, do a few bits then have a rest and prioritise what needs doing. Also, don't feel guilty if you don't do much (anything!) some days!

Original poster

Mistyautumn · 30/07/2014 12:53

Thanks for making me feel less alone guys. I am trying not to feel too guilty but am struggling. Am also feeling a bit peeved as I actually seem to be spending a lot of time clearing up after hubbie. He just doesn't see things in the same way. So far the toilet roll fairy has restocked the bathrooms and the towel fairy has put his shower towel in a sensible place to dry then put it away. Not to mention the recycling has been taken out (sounds simple but I live in a town house so everything involves stairs), bed has been stripped and the washing up he did has actually been put away.

The washing up and ironing fairy have decided to go on strike as I am going to friends for dinner and a nap is going to be of more importance this afternoon if I want to try and make adult conversation xx

OP posts:

Marnierose · 30/07/2014 16:13

I can't stop. I wish my energy would subside and force me to rest! Just take it day by day. Far better to be physically and emotionally rested for the big day than have a tidy house and be frazzled (like me).

Redling · 30/07/2014 17:38

I get up at my normal work time still because I can do stuff for about an hour, clean kitchen, put a wash on, tidy up living room and then I crash and rest for most the day until about 4pm when I can cope with cooking. I have no guilt however as it's such a small period of my life where I feel like this and there is nothing so urgent that I need to stress about it. It's only a month at most left (and that's if I go waaaay overdue) not forever. So I'm embracing my afternoon naps and 2 hour baths because right now in need them and I'm not going to get them again for a long time if ever!

Heatherbell1978 · 30/07/2014 18:36

I was just whinging about this to a friend today! I'm 37+5 and in my third week of mat leave. I'm actually bored but there's so much I could be doing.....but can't find the energy for! Even on the days when DH leaves me the car, I can't bring myself to actually go out and do something constructive with it. Starting to feel guilty because I'm sure some of it is laziness. I was all go when I was at work, walking to and fm work every day and going to all my yoga classes. It's like my body has switched off the minute I left the office!

ithoughtofitfirst · 30/07/2014 19:14

Whatever you do ladies don't fight it. I've been using 'beast mode' for my depression for years when I lack motivation. This does NOT work in pregnancy (well at least not for me!). I want frolicking round some castle in west Wales on monday and walked for miles, then yesterday helped my 40 weeks pregnant friend get sorted for her baby and today I am absolutely FOOKED. I had a 3 hour nap with DS. The kitchen is a mess, the washing pile is massive, there are toys absolutely everywhere... dh is working a 12 hour day. Ds will definitely still be up when he gets home!

Absofrigginlootly · 30/07/2014 20:00

me23 with a hb of 8.5 you are borderline for having a blood transfusion!! Are you on any treatment for it?? You should be....!! Get something sorted ASAP.....severe anaemia can start to affect the baby because there is no enough oxygen in your blood to go round. Stay well :)

LongStory · 30/07/2014 20:22

I remember looking at three bin bags of generous clothes donations for the babies (twins), and crying as I didn't have the energy to open them, sort and wash. Go with it, resting is the best thing you can do.

poglette · 31/07/2014 02:12

This thread is such a relief! I am 37 weeks and been beating myself up about not making enough progress with the book I'm writing, let alone the huge house clear up that is supposed to be happening before baby arrives. Am on chapter 7 out of 8; was hoping to get all the main chapter text done but now I don't know if I'll even finish chapter 7

WantAnOrange · 31/07/2014 06:19

I'm 11 weeks and have felt like this since about 5 weeks. The first 3 months are the absolute worst bit for me. I am being crap at everything. The house is a shit pit, the kids are bored and my patience has run out. I feel exhausted when I'm lying down alone in bed, how is that possible?

blankfornames · 31/07/2014 07:57

Whatanorange, I'm 11 wks today & I'm exactly the same. I currently have two factors working in my favour, am a teacher on holidays & this baba will be my first. I've no idea how I'd cope with other children to take care of! DH is THE most active person I've ever met & cannot sit still. Walking up the stairs tires me out these days. When does the glowing/energetic part of pregnany kick in??!

Me23 · 31/07/2014 09:13

absolfrigginglutrly thank you for your concern, I am on treatment ferrous fumarate liquid x2 day. Discussed cosmofer (iron infusion) with consultant (personally I would have preferred that as don't tolerate oral treatments well, but cons reluctant to try as a first line treatment (I'm a midwife so I knew what they were going to say!) but have decided to try oral treatment for 4 weeks then if no improvement on bloods will go for infusion.

cloudyatlas · 31/07/2014 09:15

I'm the same: 37+6 weeks with an enormous to-do list that I am slowly making a small dent in. I know it's going to be hectic after the birth so I'm doing what I can... I have to be satisfied with small gains though!
Also, despite being a very decisive person at work I am now vacillating over every little decision...

1stMrsF · 31/07/2014 10:29

It's a real conflict of hormones as I remember. You want to nest and get ready for baby, but you are so tired you can't. Particularly in this heat. I am not pg and I can't be bothered to do the ironing. I would do one tiny job each day, then sit on the sofa and eat cake and watch TV and feel proud of achieving that.

DearDinah · 31/07/2014 11:00

Me too, been on mat leave for a week & it's like I've been hit by a train of tiredness, and it seems since I announced my leave, every man & his dog wants me to do something with them! I did loads yesterday, today I feel like lead!
I'm not cleaning anything today!

Redling · 31/07/2014 11:01

This morning the Hoover broke, a bookcase collapsed and somehow my fridge door came off the hinge at the top! My response to this has been to retreat upstairs to bed as I can't cope with that much! My parents are visiting tomorrow so DH and them will have to sort this for me, I'm too pregnant for this chaos :(

squizita · 31/07/2014 11:09

Redling :( I had that kind of day last week. Plastering the spare room, the plasterer broke the radiator, which in turn broke the heating and flooded the room. When cleaning up the hoover broke.

Yup. Give up and hide. People can solve this for you.

ithoughtofitfirst · 31/07/2014 14:28

Oh no carnage! I couldn't cope with that either.

I'm having another day of doing nothing other than looking after DS.

I feel less guilty today. I just think I won't be like this forever might as well milk it.

Absofrigginlootly · 31/07/2014 15:51

Ah good me23 glad you're having treatment....thought you probably were but you never know! Also, sorry didn't know you were a midwife! ....... You would know way more than me then!!!

ohthegoats · 31/07/2014 15:56

Yesterday I did three coats of paint on top of plaster in a bedroom, including the ceilings. I went out and bought said paint, did a mini food shop, washed up, ate reasonable food prepared properly, cut up a carpet, threw it out the window, loaded up carpet and underlay into the car to take to the tip first thing this morning, pulled up carpet tack stuff around the room with a crowbar, hovered, moved a king sized mattress into said bedroom onto the boards, set up a bed, had a bath...

... today I can't really move very easily, so have managed a short trip to Wickes, a disappointing 10 minutes of cutting on of the new paint colour around the window, eating of a sausage roll and some cherries, and a LOT of sitting down internet window shopping'.

So, some days loads... some days pretty much nada. Later I might read a book about breast feeding or sleep training.

allduffedup · 31/07/2014 19:12

Gosh goats take it easy!

I can't wait for mat leave - one more week to go! I'm 36 weeks and have a strong urge to nest, but no time. I'm still working full time, and evenings/weekends are filled up with pregnancy yoga, hobby, painting the nursery and meet ups with friends.

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