A whinge at 26 weeks

[User45632874]

I am grateful to become pregnant again after an infertility diagnosis and a late loss at 22 weeks (I have two dc's age 4 and 11) but I have to admit I am finding this pregnancy a bit of a struggle.
I am an older mum - I will be one month shy of 44, if I am lucky enough to carry this baby to term (I am 26 weeks today) and probably that has a lot to do with the fact that I become tired easily. For example, a couple of housework tasks such as vacuuming and emptying the dishwasher leaves me feeling drained. I took the dcs out to soft play (well mainly for the youngest) and to be fair my eldest dc looked after the younger one (younger one can be a handful) then did some shopping and afterwards felt like I'd done a days work! When I was pregnant with dc 1 and 2 I did work and with dc1 full-time and pretty much up to a couple of weeks before my due date (I was 11 years younger then) I am experiencing breathlessness but also had that in my previous pregnancies too and I have been checked out for anaemia, full blood count, gestational diabetes - they are keeping a close eye on me. Just wondered if anyone else is experiencing this level of tiredness? I guess I have just entered third trimester and seemed to have missed the 'blooming' bit in the middle. Tiredness not helped by the fact that I am waking earlier than usual/interrupted sleep etc. I am fed up now and daunted that I have a long way to go in this pregnancy still (fingers crossed it works out o.k). My fantasy is that dh had a years leave (he works full-time) and was around to help (this is never going to happen) but I know that some women have dh's who work away etc. and have it much harder; dh is brilliant when he is here, childcare and housework wise but I feel overwhelmed by everything at the moment (no extended family etc.) and wondering how I will cope will 3 dcs plus 6 months (at least) of broken sleep. Anyone else counting down the days?

Im 29 weeks, in my 20s with no other dc's

Oops posted to early. Yeah im 29 weeks with my first and in my 20s and i feel the same so i don't know how you're managing with 2 dcs! I've just got in from work, made tea, filled the dishwasher and emptied the washing machine and im bloody knackered. I just keep thinking what will i be like at 30 odd weeks?! Roll on maternity leave... We'll soon get there and until then we'll just have to zombie our way through the days

Hi @User45632874 - I am 25 weeks and also over 40 and finding the tiredness the hardest thing. I don't think the time of year helps - it's dark and cold and there's so much to do. Almost every day I doze off on the sofa and at weekends have an hour or more's nap. I'm very grateful to be pregnant after losses but I'm hoping that once the baby is born I can get some energy back (maybe wishful thinking)

I'm 26 weeks and felt horrific for most of the last two months. Only in the last week have I felt human again and not been alseep by 8/9.

I had bloods l, gtt and physical health check all was ok. I guess it is down to being busy with a child already and wirking in a demanding job!!! Fingers crossed I keep feeling ok like now!!

I've been blessed in the way that I've had relatively little to no morning sickness however since conception I've been absolutely exhausted so I feel your pain. I'm 19 years old and 23+3 weeks at the moment. I don't have any kids but work 2/3 nights a week nightshift plus I'm in my third year at university and I struggle to do things like laundry on the weekend without stopping for a few breaks throughout. Hopefully after the baby's born you'll get some energy back. Mumsnets got your back, and don't feel worried running around after 2 kids can be exhausting but my mum said she never noticed the difference from her third since she already two. Hopefully your eldest will continue to be helpful as well. 😊

Sorry you’re feeling so tired OP but hopefully things will improve. If not we don’t have that long left anyway I’m also 26 weeks today! I’m 28 and DS just turned one so I think I’m enjoying the peace while I have it. The time of year isn’t helping either I wouldn’t say!

Thank you ladies, sorry to hear several of you are experiencing tiredness too. I am grateful that I am pregnant now and not throughout the Summer as I was with dd1 and 2 - that was hard going dd1 was born during a heat wave and so don't actually mind it being a bit cooler.

31 weeks, 40yrs old - absolutely exhausted. Iron levels dropped a lot, started iron tablets two weeks ago. Had all the blood tests again today - anemia, diabetes, etc. So waiting to see, but pretty much slept 80% of this week so far. So tired.

Eh? That sounds normal to me. But then I'm crap at being pregnant.

Congratulations. Rest as much as you can.

29 weeks tomorrow and I am 100% counting down the days. I'm a decade younger than you but this is dc3 for me too. I'm so uncomfortable, tired and massive. My iron levels have dipped a bit so they're keeping an eye but they were worse with dcs 1 and 2 and I don't think I felt as wrecked. I feel like I'm heaving myself around and my bump is massive and there's ages to go.

When I was pg with dc2 everyone said yes toddler and baby is hard but not as hard as toddler and being heavily pregnant - well, that never really was true for me, toddler and baby was waaaay harder. This time though? I think I'd nearly believe it.

Fully, fully, appreciate how lucky I am. But cannot wait for that amazing feeling of the baby being out and my body suddenly feeling like mine again, even if it's a mess!

Yes, halfstar, my only saving grace is that my dd has just turned 4 and isn't a toddler, she's a handful/high energy now without being a toddler. Another saving grace is my elder dd has been fab this week with her little sister whilst youngest dd has been off from pre-school and taken the burden of lifting etc. off of me x

A decade younger - wow that sounds like a lot when you put it like that - she sighs heavily remembering her younger days!

I'm 27 weeks and constantly tired, my back is in agony and for some reason my bum cheeks have been hurting for a couple of weeks also. I've had enough now! I want my body back, I want to be able to lay on my back or stomach, I want to be able to bend over without being in pain. I will never take bending and sleeping on my back for granted ever again.

I was about to say anaemia when I first clicked but see you've been checked. Are you eating really well? Lots of sleep?

Your body is telling you something so take care of yourself

Feeling less breathless today and its amazing to really appreciate being able to breath!
Also got hip ache where I'm sleeping on my side (despite having a duvet under the mattress protector etc.). I too, prefer to sleep on my front and back; it's amazing the little things you come to appreciate - ditto bending but it will all be worth it in the end...it's just that the wait seems endless....26+2 and counting!