Third trimester tips?

[MrsCK]

I'm just approaching the third trimester and really starting to feel exhausted, big, heavy and cumbersome. We've just bought a house and there's so so much I want to do but I know I need to take it as easy as I can. Any tips on how to eek my energy out? I'm also certain I'm going to find it tricky for the next 9 weeks of work...purely from a tiredness point of view.

When does third trimester start? I'm 25 weeks and feeling really uncomfortable. I have put on 11kg already and feeling just enormous, even bending down to get washing out of the machine is an effort. Can't imagine another 15 weeks of this getting progressively worse. I shall be watching this thread for tips definitely!

Sleep, eat cake and spend lots of time with you friends and family! I have also enjoyed going to pregnancy yoga to relax and try to keep gently mobile by walking or swimming, you might feel tired before you go but it's worth it, good luck, I'm due on Saturday, it flies by until the last few weeks xx

No help here, but watching for tips. I'm 26 weeks and knackered.

Walking up stairs wears me out. I can't bend over and breathe at the same time. Shoes and socks are hard work - double knotted laces are out. I can't talk for extended periods of time without getting breathless. I've not been able to sleep for weeks, but now I have a whole new joy as my hips hurt when I sleep on my side. I'm opting for hanging upside down like a bat as that seems to be the only position left.

And I have 14 more weeks of this...

I'm feeling this too! 28 weeks and every day feels like such an effort, it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to go to work, I'm debating whether to start maternity leave earlier than planned.

Try to keep your brains busy ladies....it helps the time pass and the body follows somehow! Nearly 39 now and wishing and hoping for the little bundle to arrive soon

I'm with you, 8 weeks left in work, 12 until EDD and I am shattered, uncomfortable and really quite fed up. The only thing keeping me from starting my mat leave early is that this is DC2 and work is actually easier than dealing with toddler DC1 on my own!

I'm 33 + 3 and I'm shattered. I seem to have hit a wall and am really struggling now. Everythign feels like a chore. Walking even short distances is uncomfortable and brings on braxton hicks.

That said, lying down for too long also hurts!

I'm counting down the last 3 weeks of work - I don't think I'm going to be overly productive!

Watching this thread for tips too! I'm just over 25 weeks and feel like all of the sudden my energy levels have crashed. All I want to do is nap and drink Oreo milkshakes

watching with interest 25 + 4 and dp already helping me put socks on and I get breathless really easily. I'm aiming to be at work until 37 + 5 so pretty much 12 weeks until maternity leave!

I was surprisingly energetic from 14 to about 30 weeks. After 30 there was a gradual dip. After 35 weeks I suddenly started becoming massively exhausted, so it was a huge relief when I went on maternity leave at 37 weeks!

Make sure your work is aware. I'm sure they're aware you're pregnant, but what I mean is, don't try to be brave. If anyone asks, let them know (cheerfully) that you're feeling a strain and would appreciate being given the sitting-down jobs! I did this with my colleagues and they were really supportive. (It certainly helps if, in your line of work, the sitting-down jobs are the more boring ones! then everyone is happy)

Don't be shy about asking for a seat on the bus/tube. I'm often reluctant to do this, and suffer quite a lot standing on hot crowded tubes. If my OH is with me he'll tap some young chap on the shoulder and make him get up :)

so glad to see others are feeling bad around the same time as me! i'm just gone 25 weeks and seriously struggling. it's my 3rd so wondering if that's why but my bump is huge (and given the other 2 were 11lbs and 10lbs still has plenty of growing to do!), my hips are at me and I just feel so big and heavy and cumbersome already! i've to pee at least 3 times a night and had to catch my breath after going upstairs today. feel so bad but already low on energy for DS and DD!

i'm self employed so will be working up til the day the baby arrives but am so busy at the moment i'm working 7 days a week which is just exhausting. I only take a day off if I have to like yesterday when DS had 2 birthday parties! things might be calming down in a few weeks and although it'll be a hit financially i'm dying for a break! supposed to be working right now!

I highly recommend the dream genie pillow for anyone that doesn't have one, I literally couldn't sleep without it now. have big swollen ankles today too so might spring for a massage or a pedicure in a week or two. and I think I might have to wear trainers for the rest of this pregnancy.

Thanks for the tips! I've requested a slightly decreased work load due to a physical aspect of one of the elements of my job but they haven't got back to me so I'm guessing my request has not been granted. I will check this though.

cake sounds the best advice so far haha!

I'm 29+1 and actually feeling pretty good. I do suffer with insomnia fairly often (waking up around 3am and then struggling to get back to sleep... I blame my snoring, man-flu DH).. but on the whole my energy levels aren't too bad.
I do an ante-natal fitness class twice a week which makes me feel great - I know good qualified instructors are like hens teeth but if you can find one I really recommend it... (although sometimes I have to drag myself there...I always feel fab afterwards). I would just say try and keep as active as you can.
Also I have a wedge pillow I got from mothercare which I put between my knees when sleeping and it seems to make things a bit comfier (I've read mixed reviews on the expensive pillows so this one was £9.99).
I work in a job where I am on my feet for 9 hours with only a half hour break, although I can have a sit down whenever I need to - as is the law - but I tend not to out of a misplaced sense of guilt!! Though I have started to feel my feet ache more and more so will be having more sit downs! Going on mat leave at 34 weeks (so 5 1/2 weeks to go... not that I'm counting!!)
While cake is always a good option... be mindful of your blood sugar. While sweet treats may give you a quick burst of energy, you are likely to have a slump afterwards. I would say try and have some protein, fibre and fat with every meal and snack (eggs, nuts, avocado...) rather than just carbs as this will give you more sustained energy. So some nut butter and avocado on toast, bacon and eggs at breakfast and pack in as many veggies as you can into your meals... I've been making huge shepherds pies, bolognese etc with loads of veggies thrown in that lasts a few days - good for you and saves cooking every night!!! Also thinking about starting to freeze portions to keep us going in the first few weeks of bubs arrival.

How exciting for you all!
I would say don't overdo it. By all means keep active etc, but rest when you need to.
Don't be too proud to ask for a seat or for help - your body is going through alot.
I totally overdid it towards the end of my pregnancy and was scrubbing the washing machine with a toothbrush the week I gave birth. I thought the back ache was just from the weird position I was in, but it was labour pain.
If I ever have another, I will put more of a focus on my health and preparing myself for birth (but more importantly preparing for life with a newborn!)
All the best ladies - in no time you'll have your gorgeous little babies!