Extreme fatigue

[Lm335]

Hello! I struggled with extreme fatigue and nausea in first trimester and it’s now returning in third trimester. It’s my first pregnancy. Maybe I am naive but, although I had commonly heard the terms fatigue and sickness thrown around before I was pregnant, I had absolutely no idea the extent that fatigue and sickness can impact during pregnancy. It can be debilitating! Because I am very conscious I didn’t fully appreciate the extent of fatigue before becoming pregnant, since being pregnant I’ve also found it challenging to relate to my friends - I don’t think any of them comprehend quite what I mean either when I say I am fatigued and it’s tiring / I feel negative trying to explain…. Did anyone else feel like this?

I think even women that have been or are pregnant don’t quite understand if they haven’t experienced the extreme side of morning sickness (stupid name lol) I remember my first pregnancy and how ill and exhausted I was. It was like having food poisoning all the time. I would go to A&E in tears, dehydrated, scared and on a drip. It put me off having another child. I guess some people are unlucky and I’m sorry that it’s affecting your relationships with friends. You haven’t got long to go and once baby is here things will get better. Just focus on the future and know it will be worth it in the end. To add I’m pregnant with my second and although I have suffered it has been nowhere near as bad, more like travel sickness and Iv managed to stay out of hospital.

How are your iron levels? I had extreme fatigue and the midwife recommended extra iron (on top of the pregnancy multivitamin I was already taking) and I found it really helped with energy levels.

Thank you both! Yes iron levels were low so have been taking additional iron for the last few weeks! I don’t mind the fatigue so much it’s more struggling with friends / work colleagues when it’s clear no one relates (I’m first in both scenarios to be pregnant) I’ve given up saying anything other than “I’m fine!” if someone asks how I am! (Appreciate this probably enhances the problem but I also don’t see the point in saying “I’m tired!” when I know they won’t understand and I am conscious I’d come across as negative all the time). Not sure what I was trying to get out of this post to be fair other than possibly seeing if others experienced similar situations with their friends etc I suppose. Thanks again

Yes, at times I had prolonged periods where I had to lie in the dark and was too exhausted to speak, trapped in bed and unable to even listen to the radio. It's nothing like being tired, it's a bone crushing exhaustion that could only be likened to the fatigue of a severe flu or illness. I was very glad when those phases passed as it was quite scary.

Do you think it’s the fatigue alone or are you feeling down generally. Pregnancy is hard work and there’s much to worry and feel anxious about. I know you have just been saying your fine, but have you got anyone close that can talk to that might support you?. Going through this alone is very difficult

I’m with you. Floored during first trimester. Third trimester, at times would lie down in bed for hours in the day and feel like I’d never move again! But then once I got myself out of bed I’d go walking for miles or do loads around the house, it was odd!
Lots of my friends and work colleagues have children but I think people forget.
I complained about being tired a lot.
Hated it when people said “it’ll be worse when the baby comes”
For me, having a newborn is infinitely better than being pregnant! It is tiring but in a totally different way.
It’ll be over soon enough and you’ll have your beautiful baby in your arms.

Thanks everyone I am so near the end so know it will be fine in the end and I am also ok with mainly being around the home with my partner at the moment! I appreciate the kind messages and it’s useful to hear others felt the same

That fatigue is another level. I remember just being exhausted to the bone. You have my sympathy

I’m in the same situation. I’m 33wks prego now and been suffering from sudden onset of nausea/ vom/ heartburn/ extreme fatigue. I’m so grateful how much my husband is doing while I’m incapacitated…

for those who had iron infusion iv, how long did it take to feel the difference? I’ve added extra iron supplements on top of the usual prenatal vitamins but I heard it could take 4 weeks to kick in.

Have you tried taking Floradix iron upplements? It's a plant-based iron capsule or liquid so it doesn;t cause constipation. It works so well. Extreme fatigue in pregnancy is very often linked to low iron.

Since my last post on this thread early Oct my iron tablets must have kicked in and I feel much more normal. Still tired yes, but not the extreme fatigue, so I can go about my day again if I am careful. Hopefully gives you some light that you may feel better in a few weeks if you stick at the iron supplements :)

Hope all the ladies on this thread is coping with the daily life with this extreme fatigue.
I would like to let people know that there is hope. I know for some ladies, it will continue to the D-day, but I seem to have come out of the worst! For me the worst time was 30-33 weeks.

Here are things I did;

• Acid reducing medication. I’ve stopped vomiting after taking Omeprazole for about a week.
• Extra Iron supplements + the usual prenatal supplements.
• Low fat, small more frequent meals and don’t eat anything after 5:30pm.
• Earlier bed time (sometimes I go down with the kids)
• Pressure points for nausea and digestion
• Ginger in everything (tea, soup etc)
• Elongate your body. Sit, stand, walk straight to make more room for the baby and my stomach.

Some / All that must be helping, I’m finally feeling like myself!
I just wanted to share so that some ladies stumbled upon this thread know this doesn’t always last forever!