Exhaustion and breathlessness

[Dustydoo123]

Would love some reassurance. I'm 28 weeks +5, feeling really breathless at times and exhausted. Awake at silly times and have to sleep in afternoon. All my blood tests and checks are normal but I'm just frightened about how exhausted I feel. I have a very strong work ethic and really struggle to decide whether I'm unwell enough not to go to work. My local midwives just shrug things off and say this is pregnancy but I have to really ask a lot of questions to gain answers to empower myself. I work in the health field and am very supportive to my patients and yet I worry I'm being a hypochondriac, I hate bothering people and then when I do ask questions and feel fobbed I just don't want to seek their support any more. I wish I could accept I feel rubbish and not feel guilty for resting. It feels like pregnancy goes on forever and though I'm so grateful to be pregnant with a much wanted baby, it feels very hard and isolating. It's our first baby and I would love to hear how others got through this time.

Hi Dusty I'm also a FTM and have hit 30 weeks today. You're not alone - I have been feeling much more tired from about week 26 onwards and walking up 2 flights of stairs really takes it out of me (considering I used to walk or cycle the 5 miles into work each day and then the same home, this is a real shock!). I can only assume this is how heavy smokers feel...

Am also finding it hard to concentrate at work now and whereas I'd regularly work 7.30 -5 / 5.30 everyday, I'm now sticking to 8-4 with at least 30 mins for my lunch break. It's the only way I can give something useful to my team!

30 weeks with my second and feeling just the same - which is new to me because I felt much more energetic at this stage in my last pregnancy. Like you, I have started to feel breathless and I also have very tired days - not every day, but often.
If your blood results are ok, I'm not sure what you can do other than rest and not feel guilty. Hope things improve.

Thanks Isabella - it's so nice to hear your experience. It can feel like everyone soldiers on and I shouldn't feel like this. How are you managing your fatigue with your work and little one?

Same here. I finished work at 30 weeks (due to bullying) and now 34 weeks. I don't think I'd cope at work atm, particularly as it seems to be getting hotter again

The breathlessness in particular is really hard to deal with. Sometimes just putting a load of washing away makes me need to sit down for ten minutes! I'm just trying to go at my own pace but like you, I am finding it isolating as I don't feel able to go out on my own as I get dizzy and all my friends are at work!

27 weeks and feel the exact same. I've been struggling with breathlessness for a while and had tiredness early in the first trimester and it's never really left me.

I'm always fine in the morning but by early afternoon I need nap. I've tried to fight it to see if I could get past it but it makes me worse so I just take it easy now as much as it annoys me.

Dustydoo- it is a bit of a juggling act some days! I'm relying on cbeebies quite a lot!
Seriously though, don't feel bad about napping etc. Pregnancy affects everyone differently, and even those who seem to carry on as usual probably have their moments!
You may find this is a bad patch and you feel better in a few days/weeks. Xx

I feel the same and have with all of my pregnancies. My iron levels have always been fine on blood tests, but i have definitely found that a decent sized iron supplement helps. I take spatone at the moment, that might be worth a try. Could always do with a nap though!

Dustydoo123
I wish I could accept I feel rubbish and not feel guilty for resting.

I know exactly how you feel, am feeling knackered despite normal test results, but am not making enough allowances. Keep dong things like taking 20mins longer to walk to work and then getting frustrated with myself for being late. What I should be doing is catching the flippin bus and giving myself a break!

Why are we so tough on ourselves?! I bet if we saw a colleague or friend in the same situation (exhausted, slowing down at work etc) we would pack them off home or at least to the sofa with a cuppa without the slightest judgement!

It is so hard when you are used to being able to manage some task yourself, or if you are the only one who can manage that task. Its a bit depressing feeling your pace getting weaker, but we need to listen to our tired bodies and slow down a bit. I appreciate that is a luxury many of us don't have, but if possible its OK to let some tasks go or delegate to others.

Feeling quite righteous after receiving a pep talk from a colleague just now on this very issue!

Hi girls - a massive thank you. I have taken 4 days off work. For the first two days I literally slept all night, then slept all day just getting up for meals. I've had really sore leg pain, headaches, breathlessness which has come and gone. I've felt really emotional and just burst into tears over daft things and felt really worried that I'm never going to feel better, how am I going to do my job etc. with your support I've tried to trust that this may pass and I may feel better soon. It's strange but when you feel that low it's hard to know what to do for the best and talking to people who don't understand has made it worse. Luckily my employers are angels who have been kinder to me than I am to myself. I have a really strong work ethic, I love my job and don't easily call in sick.
Can I ask you guys about maternity professionals and support? Because I have the option of having my baby boy born at two hospitals close to me, it's turned out that I'm going to a hospital with a great reputation in another health authority, whilst being seen by local midwives.
I have met some excellent midwives socially and understand they are pressured and short staffed - but I've felt wholly un supported by the local service.On Monday I had hoped to get some advice how I can manage my symptoms and reassurance after being unwell on holiday recently.
It took 7 phone calls to get clarification of their drop in times and after getting repeatedly lost trying to find the venue I really felt like the focus was ticking the boxes that the heart beat is ok etc rather than wholistic care. I was so exhausted and upset I was in tears after.
I work in the nhs myself and have just felt like their responses of 'well you are pregnant' is so unhelpful. I google things myself and try to be proactive in trying things that could help.
I'm wondering if I go to the hospital midwives for support or gp?
Any thoughts?
The good news is today I felt well enough to load the dishwasher today and do some tasks before going to bed for a rest.
Hope you are all well

Hey dusty glad to head you've had a break and got some rest. It's important!

I'm feeling so similar to you about the community midwives! I don't like to complain but I see a different person each time and it's so hard to build a rapport and for them to get to know me. I have quite a complicated history and it's a bit annoying having to explain each appointment. It does make me feel quite upset tbh. I'm going to tomorrow and I've been having nasty sciatica/back pain. It'll be someone I don't know who'll just say "go swimming or have a bath". The visits are often so perfunctory. I think my GP will be more supportive but she only does one day a week. ARGH!

Sorry about my rant there but still. If you have a named GP that you see I'd try them first as at least they are more likely to be sympathetic which is all you need, sometimes.

Hi guys,
Thank you for your responses.
JuniDD how are you feeling now? I totally agree with the midwife situation. I managed to talk to a friends sister who is a practicing midwife and she's just been amazing to talk to and had kids herself to talk to. Am going to take my husband to my next midwife appointment for support.
I hope your sciatic pain is easing.
I feel so much better today, so glad I took time out to feel better.
Wishing you all well for your pregnancies x