Pregnancy exhaustion - is this normal or should I see my GP?

[ChampagneProblems01]

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and have been exhausted with it from very early on. I've had tests for iron deficiency and it's all come back normal so I'd accepted it was just one of those pregnancy things I need to learn to live with and my GP gave me a fit note to either work from home or reduce my working hours in light of it. My boss keeps telling me it's not normal to feel so exhausted in the second trimester and to go back to my GP (even though I've already seen them).

Over the weekend I moved house and I knew it would be a lot for me so booked Monday off work to try and relax a bit and recover. I went out yesterday afternoon to get my hair done and treat myself, got home and then just broke down in tears because I was so exhausted. I was like that until I went to bed and just couldn't stop crying.

I was still exhausted this morning and had a headache from crying so much so messaged my boss to say I wouldn't be working today because of the exhaustion (this is the first pregnancy sick day i've taken). I got a message back saying my colleagues are out today and that I really need to go to the GP to get this sorted. I don't know if I'm being irrational but it's upset me because I'm not choosing to feel like this and in my eyes I've been to the GP and they've told me it's normal so what else am I supposed to do? I don't want to sign myself off of work but I'm seriously debating it given that I'm being guilted for taking one day off. I know other people are out today but it's not my fault I'm feeling like this and I can't plan when I'm taking sick leave.

Moving house will probably do it.

Your boss is presumably aware your GP is the one who issued the fit note ?

Having said that it might be worth going back to double check again if it is really impacting your life.

But reiterate to your boss that you have seen a GP and you are following their advice already.

Moving house when I wasn't pregnant was bad enough. You probably overdid it, try and plan extra time in for things. Can you not also talk to your midwife about how your feeling, they have a better understanding of what is normal during pregnancy.

Your boss sounds ridiculous, why do they think they are medically qualified. Moving house is a lot for anyone, let alone pregnant. Being tired is totally normal in pregnancy, your body is working very hard. I think you need to speak to your midwife about your mental health, the crying is concerning.

Thanks everyone.

I've reached out to my midwife already about the crying. I'm not sure if it's hormones or more going on there.

I think I'm just annoyed because I'm already feeling tired and fragile so my boss's lack of sympathy hasn't helped and set me off again.

I had the same thing in my first pregnancy. Insist on getting your B12 checked and then ask to see the results. Do some googling about testing in this country, the 'normal' range is huge and much wider than other countries. Basically even if your number is low but within range you would still likely need B12 supplements if you have any symptoms. For me it was the extreme tiredness.

I had to push for this and after a month of tablets I felt like I'd woken up from a coma about 24 weeks pregnant.

Also to add, I ended up having to take 2 months off work in my second trimester when everyone said I should be bouncing back! Don't feel guilty at all about taking time from work.

Go back and insist on more checks OP because you will REALLY suffer when you hit 30 weeks - I work with pregnant woman and have had three kids. The last leg kills you off.

Pregnancy affects us all differently and you do have to work with these people when you go back so best get yourself sorted now rather than burning bridges at work.