First Trimester Fatigue 😭

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Currently 5 weeks + 2 with first baby. Never been pregnant before so all very new .
Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with the first trimester tiredness because I mean I’ve been tired before but this is to an extreme level . Never felt anything like it . I went to bed at 8am last night and slept through til about 3, woke up for a wee, and then couldn’t get back to sleep and my alarm went off at 7.
I work full time and just need advise on how to get through this ?!

Thank you
From a very tired Mum to be ...

It's hard but normal. This stage is when you're making all the baby's organs etc, so it just drains you.

There's no magic answer, just eat well, drink lots and sleep as well as you can. Leave cooking etc to DP. Get a pregnancy pillow now as you'll end up getting one and they can make you comfier. Get fresh air and a bit of exercise every day.

Change your mindset a bit too - I used to imagine I was climbing a mountain and had to go through some slow-going boggy bits on the way.

It should pass within a few weeks. As to the job - don't forget that people who aren't pregnant can also have less than perfect days too.

Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear, pregnancy can be a slog!

@corduroyal thank you ! I’ve just done my packed lunch and put lots of fruit in it and got my water at the ready.
I’m just shocked at how tired it makes you!
Nice image about waking up a mountain, I’ll envision that thank you.
I think also part of me is anxious about things which isn’t helping x

Congratulations on your pregnancy 😄 I know how you're feeling 😩 First trimester tiredness is like no other, I literally used to fall asleep at like 8pm after a full day at work. You need to just listen to your body and relax & rest as you don't want to overdo it. Luckily enough you get a massive zap of energy in your second trimester! Hang in there, I know it's difficult especially when you can't sleep - I struggled with pregnancy insomnia which is why it's important to just relax when you can x

@mumma2b2020 ah I meant to write 8pm not 8am - see, I’m not thinking straight 😂😂

It’s unbelievable isn’t it? I can’t wait for that zap of energy ! I think after my scan I’ll feel more energetic anyway as I just need to see the little shrimp! X

I was the woman falling asleep in lectures after a day at work with my two.
But it was easier than trying to study with children.
Nap when you need to.
Batch cook on days off.
Ginger for morning sickness and make sure you take your vitamins

@Weenurse thank you, you must’ve been shattered!
Did you have anxiety running up to your first scan?
It seems like every single person on mumsnet has sadly lost a baby , and it just riddles me with anxiety that it’s a very common occurrence even though out of all my friends with children (about 15) only one has lost a baby, but it seems every woman on mumsnet has been through the heartache which makes me seem like it happens to everyone ...

itsemily I'm at exactly the same stage as you, first ever pregnancy wk 5+1 but I have quite a lot of friends who've had miscarriages so I'm more nervous than I thought I would be!

I don't have any symptoms apart from sore boobs which I am partly grateful for but also makes me worry that something is wrong as I feel entirely normal

It definitely gets better once you are in the second trimester. You can get a whole different range of symptoms of course but the first trimester is the worst. You may not know if friends have had early losses of course. I have lost three but not even all my family know that, let alone all my friends.

I’m 26 weeks today and haven’t slept well since I found out pretty much :( I was happy to get 5 hours last night, waking up 2 hourly and being up for the day by 3 or 4am is normal now!

I have no advice I’m afraid - just sympathy. I’m 5+6 with my first as well and the tiredness is extreme. I’m lucky I’ve had the Christmas period off work but I’m dreading going back - I’ll be falling asleep at my desk. Looking forward the the second trimester

I don't have any advice but feeling your pain! Luckily I'm not back at work until next week, but as of this moment I'm sleeping at 8PM, waking up at 9AM, going back to sleep at 2PM and waking up at 4PM.. I have no idea how I'm going to cope when I'm back to work full time 😩 .. 2nd pregnancy but this time round it feels a lot worse..

Congratulations on your pregnancy! The first trimester is hard, both physically and emotionally. I didn't really relax and start to enjoy it until 12 weeks. I think that's just part and parcel of wanting your baby to be ok but if you start to feel too anxious some simple deep breathing exercises can help.

In terms of fatigue, gosh yes it's tough. Like others have said, listen to your body, drink lots of water, eat nutritiously dense foods and take your vitamins. There's no magic cure to the tiredness, as you're making a tiny human and that's a big deal for your body! It feels like forever but looking back it passes quite quickly and then you're on to the glowing, bump rubbing phase!

You have my sympathy. The tiredness is dreadful. I found the T1 tiredness harder than the constant nausea and also the sleepless nights with my newborn. Having to work hard day in day out when fully depleted is awful. Take it easy on yourself, have early nights and rely on your partner to pick up as many of the chores as possible. Don't feel guilty for needing the extra help in this stage, your body is literally creating a human. Once you're into 2nd trimester when you'll feel so much better/more energised.

I've read lots about the early stages of pregnancy and fatigue, but none of this prepares you for the constant exhaustion!

I am currently 10 weeks pregnant, and I've been falling asleep at 8pm (sometimes earlier) since I was 4 weeks!
We had an early scan at 9 weeks and all appeared well with a strong heartbeat, and since this, I've become more relaxed with sleeping when I feel I need to 😊
I'm hoping that in the 2nd trimester, I'll have a little more energy, but we shall see!

Congratulations on your pregnancy, let's hope the fatigue passes soon!

It does pass, I felt the exact same. For me it was at about 11 weeks. Then I feel fine in second trimester :)

Give in to it. It's your body's way of making you slow down - it's got a lot on right now. Think the worst thing you can do is fight it.

It doesn't help that we're in the middle of winter, the days are short and often gloomy. I don't know about you, but I instantly feel better the minute the sun comes out.

I'm 15 weeks pregnant. I don't know if it was just the first trimester, or the fact I had a cold (for a month! I never get colds!). I was sooooooo tired up until about a week ago, but I've suddenly started feeling a lot better.

If I get the urge for a nap, if I can, I give in to it though. Seems a losing battle for me otherwise.

@itsemily if you search my name, you will see I’ve asked the same question as this tiredness is unreal!
I’m 9+2, sleep 10-11 hours at night with 1-2 naps during the day!
I go back to work Thursday and have nooo idea how I’m going to cope!
I still haven’t found a magic cure to help the tiredness but you have my sympathy and support. I’m counting down to this 2nd trimester energy hit! Xx

The tiredness will pass in a month or so, stick at it. Also re the anxiety - Mumsnet is naturally very skewed towards negative outcomes as this is when ppl need to reach out. The odds of something going wrong are relatively small and definitely on your side. It’s tough but keep going!

@Bookiewook your comment has made me feel so much better thank you !! So reassuring to read something positive like that!

Thanks everyone as well, you’ve all been lovely x

Just hold on to the hope that your energy should be back by week 15 or so! Until then, sleep.