Most of the pregnant folks I know are busy women with full lives. And that doesn’t stop when they’re having a baby. There are places to go, people to see, work to be done and other kids to care for. All this on top of staying connected with themselves and their partner.
The schedules that many #goalgetters in the DC metro area keep is enough to make a lot of people tired. Add growing a human onto that, and it’s no wonder that pregnancy exhaustion is real.
I’m not one to tell anyone how much they can handle. I know that sometimes there’s a lot to be done, and you’re the best person to do it.
At DC Metro Maternity though, we like to help our clients have realistic expectations. One of those, is that you may need to slow down a bit during pregnancy.
Probably, you noticed a dip in energy during the first weeks of your pregnancy. Sometimes people feel a little off before they even know that they’ve conceived! It’s only after they realize they’re expecting that they realize the desire for extra sleep came from the baby they were growing.
This exhaustion is because of the changes that your body makes to accommodate a baby.
In particular, there’s a surge in estrogen in the first trimester. This can lead to the nausea that you might experience (we don’t dare call it morning sickness since it’s not confined to breakfast time).
During this time, your body is working to keep two people healthy now. Your heart is working significantly harder, and your resting heart rate may increase 15-20% during pregnancy. Your blood volume will also increase, as will your blood pressure.
Fortunately, your body adapts, and so for some, this means that the second trimester gets easier. The feelings of fatigue fade, and you might enjoy the glow everyone raves about.
But all good things must come to an end. And often, as the baby nears birth, the extra weight begins to slow things down again. Add to this the restlessness that may come from a little one who kicks and moves at night and no one would blame a pregnant woman for feeling tired.
So, what’s an expectant mother on the go to do? As usual, we have some tips that you can refer to, in addition to talking to your doctor, if you feel like the exhaustion is becoming overwhelming:
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Give yourself permission to slow down if you need to. Even on your “lazy days”, during pregnancy, you are making an entire person. So put your feet up, drink some water, and relax.
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Find ways to replenish rest. Embrace the art of naps. Take a hot shower or a long bath.
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Be sure to eating nutritious food and stay hydrated. Most providers also recommend taking a pregnancy vitamin.
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Consider becoming moderately active. If you weren’t running half marathons prior to having a baby, now is not the time. But a light walk is usually helpful, unless you’re under a doctor’s advice to be still.
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Ask for help. From your partner or loved ones especially. It’s one of the hardest parts of self-care, even if it’s not as glamorous as a manicure. (But while you’re at it, consider a manicure too!)
Remember, no one stays pregnant forever, and soon you’re have your body back. I hear early parenthood takes a lot of your energy too, but we’ll think about one thing at a time.
If you’re looking for more ways to keep up with life during your pregnancy, join us at our Pregnancy Glowup class to learn more!
