What level of fatigue/exhaustion is normal?

[Ivf4203]

I’m 6+6 today and since I got my BFP I was fine just sore boobs until three days ago when mild morning sickness and fatigue started. The exhaustion is something else. I struggled washing/drying my hair today. I’m just sleeping most of the day. Folding a few pieces of clothes seems like a lot of effort. It’s my first pregnancy so wonder if this is normal. I’ll call my gp on Tuesday because I’m thinking I might be anaemic although I’ve been on pregnacare for a while so I hope I’m covered with the vitamins etc. I promised myself I’ll do at least a 20min walk today but I just don’t have the energy. I’m starting to worry the lack of exercise is not good for my pregnancy. Any advice welcome!

I don't think there's a normal level to be honest - some people live totally normal lives in the first trimester, others can hardly get out of bed! This is my 5th first trimester and they've all had varying levels of tiredness but this one is particularly bad so far, especially the last week (now 7+2). I am also struggling with doing no exercise but best thing is to listen to your body - if it needs rest, it needs rest!

I've never lounged as much in my life as I did when pregnant 🤭

Sounds normal to me. That first trimester exhaustion is horrific! I was sleeping probably 18 hours of the day and was still tired but my iron levels were great at my booking app. No harm in getting tested anyway to rule it out..

I was pretty tired in the first trimester but I promise it does get easier! Currently close to 38 weeks and it's only now that major fatigue, enough to make me want to nap when I'm not normally a napper, is creeping back in. Once I got past about 11 weeks or so it was more manageable. There's just a lot of very rapid changes happening in your body currently, but once you get into th second trimester, it'll regulate a bit more for you. Good luck!

In the first trimester, from about 6 weeks onwards, I was absolutely drained. I would get up with my son in the morning then go back to bed until I started work at 9 (WFH) and would then take a nap over lunch. That lifted at about 15 weeks and felt much better. Currently 30 weeks and I've got low ferritin (waiting for a prescription) but omg it's hit me like a bus. I go to bed at about 9pm then fall asleep in seconds and could nap again within hours of getting up in the morning. It's absolutely brutal.

This is my second pregnancy and let me tell you, the tiredness is unreal! My first trimester all i did was work, eat and sleep. Dont be too hard on yourself for not getting up and doing stuff. Only do what you can and dont push it. It's so hard to explain pregnancy tiredness! Take it easy

Thank you all! Also forgot to say I’m 37 y/o so not considered young and I don’t know if this is a factor at all.

Good to know it’s likely to get better at some point! I’m not complaining as this is a very much wanted IVF baby. I just wanted to check if this is common with you lot who probably have more experience than me so thank you to all who replied, much appreciated.

I was absolutely exhausted from about 6 weeks til just before 12 weeks. I could barely keep my eyes open at work, small household tasks tired me out so much I needed a nap afterwards, I slept for 2 hours after work every day before I could do anything else. Extreme tiredness is completely normal.

@jackiesgirl thank you! Fortunately the past couple of weeks have been cushy at work but the upcoming month is looking very busy. If I continue to feel the same, I might have to tell my manager about my pregnancy earlier than I would have wanted because there’s no way I could function like normal with the energy level I have at the moment. She’s lovely and supportive so not worried at all. Ideally though I’d tell her after my 12 week scan…

I can’t imagine how others cope with full on job and keep their pregnancy a secret!!

First trimester exhaustion is so awful, I am usually in bed by 7pm once I’ve got my baby to bed. From experience it gets much better past 13 weeks. I was tired in the third trimester and with a newborn but always felt that I could push through and get something done, unlike the first trimester where I just need to be laying down. The nausea is draining too.

Sounds normal. It improved drastically at 14 weeks for me.

Be kind to yourself and get your partner to do the majority of cooking/cleaning.

I told my manager at about 8 weeks for this reason, as long as they keep it confidential then it at least allows you some sick days if you need them, and an understanding if you aren’t at your best

I work in a hospital and i was around 6 weeks pregnant at easter and the donations that came in, i was on my feet for 8 hours, constantly dealing with donations that come in.
Lifting bags upon bags of easter eggs and i thought thats probably where my tiredness has come from.

It all calmed down after 2 weeks of it being non stop. Im currently 15 weeks and still exhausted😅
I can do more than i could before which is a blessing, but i lose energy very quickly and get tired to the point i have to sleep for around 3 hours and i can still go back to bed at a reasonable time and sleep the night away. (Irons come back a little below the norm but nothing serious to make me go on iron tablets and the midwife definitely isnt worried about it)

I think in the early stages it hits you like a ton of bricks! Which is exactly what your feeling now! But it will pass and you will have a little bit more energy!

I’m 13 weeks and I feel the same. Some days I’m stronger but I have to stop simple tasks because I’m too exhausted to continue without a break. It’s so hard isn’t it? The simplest things feel impossible. Not to mention working and looking after a toddler. I just want to sleep ALL DAY!!! X