Help...I Feel So Sluggish!!!

Hi A.,
I took a natural childbirth class (13weeks long) and the emphasis was a lot on diet. Eat 80-100 grams of protein a day. Count the milk, cheese, nuts, eggs, and meat, poultry, etc. I was a little tired off and on, but once I followed this, I felt great. I honestly felt better in my second and most of my third trimester than I do not pregnant. I craved sweets and eating this amount of protein really helped curve that too. If I still craved the sweets after my 100 grams of protein, I went ahead and ate the sweet.

Also, I took emergen-C with my second pregnancy. My OB recommended it to boost my immune system and energy during the first trimester. I still take them if I feel sluggish. I buy them by the box at Walmart (or GNC, Walgreens, etc.) If you want to try different flavors first, go to Market Street...the sell individual packets to try.

Hang in there.

You're in your first trimester, that's why you're so pooped! You've been thru this before, just remember that your energy will pick up again once you get thru this first trimester. I recently had my third baby 2.5 mths ago and with every pregnancy I was extremely exhausted my first trimester. You can ask your OB though about taking iron supplements, and of course be sure to take your Prenatal vitamins. Taking the iron supplements should help boost your energy.

Just try to rest when you can (I know it's hard since you already have little ones!)

I would ask my doc to do some blood work. You may be anemic, and it can kick your rear- I was very anemic with my #3 and it did wipe me out.

Good luck!

Your body is busy making a baby!!! Hurray! But that means that you are using more energy and will be more tired. If you can eat, try high fiber, high energy foods. Oats, grains, apples. I loved steak while I was pregnant.

Good luck.

Hi A.,
I'm also pregnant with my 3rd and have a 6 yr old and 2 yr old boy to take care of all day.
I'm now in my 27th week but around the 14-16th week I too started feeling exhausted.
I spoke with my OB about an iron supplement and he said it was fine to add one with my prenatal vitamins.
It seems to have helped me but no matter what you're going to be tired alot more throughout your pregnancy.
I just bought an over the counter iron supplement and take one daily.
Goood luck with your new baby!

After getting the Ok from your DR try some light exercising. The days that I add, even 30 minutes of walking I feel more energised.

A.,

Make sure you're taking your prenatal vitamins, stay well hydrated, eat correctly-which is only a 300-calorie per day increase from prior to being expectant and walk, walk, walk. All these combined should give you increased energy.

Please feel free to call or e-mail me with questions.

Thank you,

D. Peña, LMT, CPT
Licensed Massage Therapist
Certified Personal Trainer
###-###-####
____@____.com

Wow, you are busy
cat naps are your best option. plus, make sure you take your vitamins.
When your hubby is home, let him watch the kiddos for an or so a day while you just rest...
I know your probably saying I have too many things to do to rest, but your not gonna get anything done if your tired, so let things that can wait, just wait.. and take care of yourself.. remember, if you don't take care of yourself then how are you gonna take care of eveyone else?

You may well be more fatigued than past pregnancies because you've got two extra kids to take care of as well as the one you're carrying with you all day long. But, as someone else suggested, check with the doctor and have them run the labs for anemia (both iron deficiency in the form of ferritin and B vitamin). Also, I would suggest you have them check your thyroid (TSH, Free T3, Free T4). If you happened to be borderline hypothyroid (a fairly common situation) before pregnancy, pregnancy does increase your body's need for thyroid hormones and if your body can't produce it you will be very fatigued (especially with that "can't get out of bed" feeling). Also, you don't mention the ages of your two others, but it could be you are just overall nutritionally deficient (nutrients go to the fetus before they go to mom) and absolutely should be taking your pre-natal vitamins and might want to meet with a nutritionist to look at your diet overall. Eating lots of carbs, for example, will only feed the fatigue.

Pregnancy alone makes a woman tired but when it comes to feeling sluggish as you mentioned you might want to talk to your OB/GYN about putting you on some iron pills. Many things could be causing you to feel this way like chasing after your lil ones or perhaps you could be a little anemic and in need of iron. I hope this helps some.