i'm so tired!!!! thinking about switching from decaf...

[KateRaeganandMichael]

I've had a lot of problems in previous pregnancies so I really am trying my best to do everything by the book but I'm just soooo very very tired that I'm struggling. My dd, 5, has been late for school twice this week simply because I have no get up and go. I thought that I could try to trick my brain into having a caffeine buzz with the decaf but I just cant. I've been particularly hormonal this week (I guess its pretty lucky that I have this week off from work because I've been a wreck) and now I feel super bad for wanting to have a proper coffee. I know you're"allowed" a certain amount of caffeine but -I guess this is my point - its just going against the plan. Is there anything I can do short of napping (because of dd and work) and going to bed earlier because that just makes me wake up at 3am or I get a too-much-sleep hangover. HELP

I feel your pain I miss my real tea! How far along are you? I find the tiredness comes and goes. What helps me (sometimes) is eating throughout the day, healthy snacks (and some unhealthy), enough sleep (not easy with other DCs!) and I get anaemic so for me remembering to take my iron and vitamins. When I was at work I found it helped to get out every day in the daylight to a park or something, even if it wasn't a full lunch hour and was a very quick wander.

Get some instant, and just have one cup a day. If you've not been drinking caffeine for a few weeks due to the pregnancy, then you might find that you are a bit more sensitive to it anyway, so one cup might be just enough to see you through.

I don't see how having one cup of coffee a day is going against "the book". One cup of instant is HALF the daily recommended allowance for pregnant women.

You don't have to be a martyr!

The book doesn't say give up caffeine entirely. Have a cup of instant or tea first thing and maybe mid afternoon as a pick me up, and watch your chocolate intake if you're worried. It'll be fine

I have a cup of instant a day, it's within the limits.

You can have some caffeine - also take spatone sachets. Your iron could be a little low

I would second checking your iron.

Also, the sugar boost of some orange juice and fruit when you get up might help (but do have some cars and/or protein a little later). That helped me.

Plus the massive mug of coffee.

Just have a cup of coffee! It's okay!

You can still drink caffeine; recommended amounts is 200mg a day, so one mediumish size cup from a coffee place.

Have you read Expecting Better by Emily Oster? She researched a lot of the pregnancy can / cant's (such as dying hair, drinking coffee, eating fish etc) and provides a sensible and scientific view on this and what the chances of harm are to your pregnancy.

I'm on my fourth pregnancy and have never switched to decaf, didn't even realise you had to. I don't drink tea or coffee everyday but when I do it's normal stuff.

I've been having one coffee a day in the morning, and now I'm in the 2nd trimester I sometimes have a second cup at the weekend, pretty wild I know.

go by a different book, so to speak. Expecting Better is good one and actually takes a look at the science behind all the recommendations.

I'm the exact same as Millie, one cup a day, two on super special occasions (either I have it, or I turn into she-hulk). But also agree with have your iron checked. I've learned to recognise when my bp drops as well, I have zero energy and feel a bit sick. No one warned me about that!

Thanks ladies x I'm 25 weeks at the moment. I hadn't thought about my iron levels having something to do with this. I usually get quite anaemic with pregnancies - but my bloods have been good so far - perhaps things have changed. I think I'll do half (decaf) and half (normal) in a bit - just had to have a 20 minute nap as its parents evening tonight...eeep