I'm exhausted but unable to fully relax - any tips?!

[foxessocks]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and I have a 2.5 yo. I'm really starting to feel tired now and struggling to bend down to get things or clean things or go up and down the stairs umpteen times. The problem is whilst I know sitting down and resting is good for me and perfectly acceptable at this stage I cannot seem to relax. I can't get into my book so I end up on my phone or laptop just feeling fed up really. I've enjoyed watching the Olympics but I can't concentrate very well. I am constantly worrying about getting the housework done and thinking of all the things I need to do but the list seems never ending. I tidy and clean a lot at the moment and yet I'm never satisfied! I just want to forget the housework and relax more without feeling guilty or worrying. It's like the nesting and the exhaustion are happening at the same time which just doesn't work!! My poor dh is now hoovering the whole house after I tried to explain how I felt. I appreciate him doing this obviously but my point wasn't that I want him to do more (he does plenty) but that I just want to sit down and relax for a longer stretch of time!

Is it just me I'm probably not explaining myself very well!

You need a nice bottle of bubble bath, some candles and a deep bath. Face mask on and just relax. Always works for me!

I know how you feel. With my first pregnancy I was racing around every day. Just couldn't relax. Would it help to 'schedule' time for cleaning and chores then schedule time for relaxation? And make the relaxation time something you're really looking forward to. Eg for me ideal would be reflexology session or cinema - so there are no other distractions and I can't start housework halfway through! (not cheap though..)

Try hypnobirthing.

Totally understand how you're feeling. Currently 39+5 and feeling exactly the same. Also have a 2 year old DS. We moved house a couple of weeks ago so there has been lots of unpacking and tidying to do but now are to the point where the only stuff left is big stuff (wallpapering, furniture moving) which I can't do on my own.

I'm so tired but can't settle and am constantly rearranging, hoovering and dusting.

I have found trying to get out every day and do something nice - meet friends, coffee and cake, etc - has been good for me. I literally go crazy if I'm in all day.

I've been going out most days although this week we have been home more than usual as dd was poorly. That probably didn't help! Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm sitting in the garden with a magazine at the moment trying to relax while ds and dh play together. I keep thinking about starting dinner though! Hopeless!

Dh has promised tomorrow he'll sort the spare rooms and all the junk and bits I can't do on my own...

Me too! I have no tips on how to relax!! I'm 37 weeks, working F/T and my oldest kids just went back to school so I have to be up at 6 every morning to get them to the bus stop by 7am. We moved house earlier this summer, and there is just so much to do. I finally went to a second hand baby sale last night and bought stuff for baby, then felt guilt for missing the PTA meeting at 7.15am this morning. When I finally get to sleep at night, I wake up with terrible leg cramps and leap out of bed. Tis misery!!!!!

Yup, I sympathise. I'm 33w but I've struggled to relax the entire way through. I'm not the best at relaxing anyway

I've had a difficult 3 days with reduced movement so I feel on guard - any time I'm awake (and I am not sleeping well at all) I feel the need to constantly be checking if baby is okay.