Extreme Exhaustion During Pregnancy - how common is it?

[Twintastica]

I've been suffering from total exhaustion during my pregnancy from about week 5 to now (week 31).

People say it's normal to feel a bit tired, but I feel they are downplaying what is happening to me. I can barely stand up for more than a few minutes, even sitting up straight tires me out. I basically spend my entire day, lying on the sofa with my head supported. I haven't been able to work since week 5.

I've had tests, I'm not aneamic, my thyroid is fine, I'm seeing the doctor every 4 weeks, in addition to the midwife and scans.

I'm having twins and I turned 47 in week 22. People say "no wonder you're tired". But this is more than tired, I'm basically housebound and disabled.

I've googled to see what the internet says about it, and it just seems they are talking to people who are a bit tired. The advice is things like take the odd day off work, sleep a bit more, and go for a brisk walk. I can barely walk, and when I do, it's not brisk! Initially I thought a few days rest and some long sleeps would fix it, but I rest a lot and sleep a lot, and it doesn't help.

I had an insurance policy that was supposed to cover me after 12 weeks illness, but after months of waiting for a response, they finally denied the claim saying because my tiredness is caused by pregnancy, it isn't an illness, and they only cover illness and injury. It's a policy through work, so my boss has said he will work on appealing the decision. I'm just livid that this is not taken seriously.

Hi OP, I really feel for you. The whole situation sounds a bit crap.

I'm not sure it is normal to feel that terrible. I haven't been able to work for a large chunk of my pregnancy so far because of a variety of reasons - terrible morning sickness in tri 1 and exhaustion (similar to what you've described) in tri 2. But since taking iron I have felt much better - more human.

Could you ask your doctor for full bloods to be done again? There might be something that they've missed? Your age and twins might be a contributing factor to your exhaustion, but there must be something else at play. It's unfair for the doctors to have left you feeling so terrible for so long. Could you make a bit of noise and try and get more tests done? If something does come up, it will certainly help with your work claim too.

I wouldn't downplay how you're feeling. You are essentially bed-bound because of severe exhaustion. Unless someone has been there, it can be really hard to empathise. (I have been there and feel your pain!) It doesn't sound normal and I wouldn't put up with it, especially as birthing and looking after twins is no walk in the park either.

Good luck OP and I hope you receive the help you need from the doctors.

I've been quite similar since first trimester too, I'm 36 weeks now and honestly it got better for maybe 3 or 4 weeks in 2nd trimester. Got very fed up of hearing 'itll all perk up soon don't worry you're in second tri!' or 'wait til 3rd trimester you don't know tiredness!' or the classic 'just wait til she's born you want to rest now there's no way you're as tired as you will be'.

Bloods are all fine but I think i'm quite prone to fatigue due to mental health, depression and anxiety tend to make me very fatigued so I reckon some people may just be more likely to suffer some symptoms than others. But I do agree it is FAR from fun! Unfortunately I don't think I can give you any advice, I've found nothing has helped me with my exhaustion and I've given in to just being productive when I can be and resting for the rest of the time. Given up caring if other people think I'm overplaying it, or overreacting tbh. Best thing to do Is just wait it out I suppose, it's horrible I understand how you feel. Maybe you'll get that kick of energy from the nesting instinct soon and you'll feel a bit better even if it's temporary! All the best :)