So very tired

[WinkyWinkola]

I'm 32 weeks pg. Due April 12th. I've one DS of 22 months and I'm absolutely shattered all the time. Is this normal? All i want to do is sleep but obviously there's too much other stuff to do.

I feel so guilty that I'm not giving DS all the attention, time and patience he needs because I'm just so worn out. I feel especially guilty because I know he and I will never have this time again.

Poor old DH is feeling the brunt of it too. He called me up from work on Friday to let me know he was going to be a bit late home. I just burst into tears at the thought of his being an hour late, my having to give DS his supper, bath and put him to bed and making dinner for friends. It just all seemed like so much to cope with.

Once I have this baby, I'll feel more energetic, won't I? Is there anything I can do to make it better, any tips?

Oh you have my sympathies. I'm 28 weeks and have just started to feel the tiredness of the first trimester coming back, but worse. I'm finding it harder and harder to motivate myself and feel so weary.

Sorry that's not much help to you, but wanted to offer you some sympathy.

Winky, does your ds have a sleep during the day? I'm 18weeks with no. 4 and ds is 18 months (the other two are older) and I find that if I don't go and at least have a lie down when he has a nap, then I am stuffed for the rest of the day. I am also stuffed if I have a nap because I can't do the "things I can't do when ds is around" things either - but I judge my sanity to be more important! I don't have a rest/sleep every day but try to do it at least every other day. It really does make a difference.

Thanks ShowofHands and Miaou.

DS's nap was my saving grace. He's now not interested in napping anymore and it's wiping me out. I think it was the one thing that kept me going.

I'm starting to think having a newborn will be less tiring than this pregnancy malarky.

Have you tried iron tablets? I was really tired when pregnant, like you, and my GP prescribed iron tablets. They made a huge difference to my energy levels.

You could try eating iron-rich food too, like red meat and broccoli, but the tablets might give you a real boost.

I was afraid you were going to say that! My ds will be hitting 22 months when I am 32 weeks pg - argh!!!

Will he sit and watch CBeebies for a bit? My mum used to live for "Watch with Mother" when I was a toddler and she was pg with my brother - she used to sit me on her knee then go to sleep while I watched

(Iron is a good idea - but eat charcoal tablets too to counteract the constipation they create if they cause you a problem )

try Spatone , it is a natural supplement, and should give you extra iron without constipating you like tablets can x