Exhaustion

[ChateauProvence]

Hi, I am around 7 weeks pregnant is it normal to be exhausted? I am at work and just want to cry I am so tired even though I have had a full 10 hours sleep. I’m struggling to concentrate and just feel awful. Not sure I can carry on working like this but it feels ridiculous to be off sick and I also didn’t want to tell work so early - not sure why I am posting really - was just wondering if anyone if feeling the same

Completely normal but that doesn't make it any less difficult! I have always told my work early as any pregnancy related illness is counted differently than normal illness.

Also, having the occasional say off to sleep isn't a huge deal and might help you work better when you're back in. You'll not even think about it once baby has arrived. X

I think it's normal. I was so tired last time around and so tired this time also. What's helped me is to book a days holiday in the middle of each week and just have a day relaxing and still send my son to nursery. I also go to bed sometimes when my son does at 7pm.

I think it did get better at about 11-12 weeks last time.

Yup the fatigue is killer and really frustrating! I feel like I’d be ok if I could have a two hour nap every lunchtime and have literally day dreamed about getting a large dog bed to put under my desk 🤣

I told work I was pregnant when I was 5 weeks because the brain fog and exhaustion was too much and I needed to explain why I was useless by about 2pm every day 🤦🏻‍♀️

My husband has been really good at not expecting me to do anything useful aside from do my best with my toddler son. He’s taken over all the housework and cooking for now so I can just get through the bare essentials of every day.

It gets better in the second trimester!

Ps I’m 7 weeks too. I remember week 9 being the worst last time, but I wasn’t back to full energy until week 16. Then you get the joys of third trimester soon after… 🫠

Hell yes. Currently in that phase with you. Sat on a train from Glasgow to London, almost crying (not literally) at the thought of how I am going to get through until around 8pm this evening with client meetings and drinks after them. The moving of the train isn't helping with the morning sick feeling either. What was I thinking?

Roll on tonight so I can get to bed and just sleep.

Afternoon naps, even for 10 mins help so try and shut your eyes on lunch if you can to power through. Thankfully my work/boss have been great and so understanding, this is just a few days I need to get through as been in the diary for ages and I am leading so needs must.

Can't wait for that second trimester where things are supposed to be rosy? (sense the tone :D)

Pregnancy fatigue is a very common symptom especially in the first trimester. Good news is it’ll likely ease up once you go into the second trimester.

Yes, the fatigue is why I went to the GP, and discovered I was pregnant. A shock at 44.

But it got much better quite quickly. After a few weeks I think your body adapts to the different hormone levels. The next stage is to be very hungry. 😊

good luck xx

Thanks so much everyone luckily I’m working from home today so am going to have a nap on my lunch break!

First trimester is when you're building all the baby's main organs and systems etc - it takes a huge amount out of you. It eases up once that bit is done, then gets harder again when the baby gets properly big.

I did used to have short naps in the day because overall I was more productive that way and it was a better deal for my employer than me sitting at a desk unable to function.

If you're feeling knackered, remember it's because you're building an entirely new person inside of you! Sounds obvious but it's not everyone who can just knock out a digestive system etc while answering emails of an afternoon!

Exhaustion knocked me for 6 this time around! I had to leave work early one day because I felt so rough. Another day I actually had a nap on my office floor. I did a couple of Friday- Saturday residential DofE trips (I'm a teacher) and as one of the other leaders had a 4 month old at home, we prioritised afternoon naps - it was amazing!!!

I started feeling better at 14 weeks, and now, at 19 weeks, I know when I've over done it, but I get through a day at work without feeling like I need to lay down or i can't carry on!!!