Pregnancy Fatigue

Pregnancy can be exhausting.  And it's hard to take the time you need to rest before you are far enough along to feel comfortable making an announcement to your family, friends and coworkers.  And even if you are lucky enough to be able to stay at home while pregnant you may find napping difficult.  Heart burn upon laying down and nausea when shifting your position can make life miserable, (and the world says you are supposed to be all kinds of excited about the new life your are creating) as you get all to familiar with your bathroom for one reason or another.

As the baby grows your innards are pushed aside to make room.  Is it any wonder you are not feeling amazing? But what can you do?  Walking is recommended, but when you are too tired to move that seems like a joke.  And with caffeine on the list of pregnancy don'ts you need to get yourself some energy some how.

I found having small and frequent snacks throughout the day helped perk me up some (fruits and vegetables seemed to help me the most).  And following my pregnancy cravings felt down right magical.  Foods I didn't care for before becoming pregnant were suddenly immeasurably important and foods that had be on the menu for years were suddenly stomach turning to consider.

Aside from eating right (There are countless books on the topic), and eating more: you are making a whole extra person from scratch after all (which takes more energy than outward appearances may suggest).  Getting some time in the fresh air and sunlight is also quite beneficial.  It can not only refresh your energy, but put you into a better mood as well.

Keep your interactions with others low key.  If someone is exhausting to be around a break from including them in your social calendar may be beneficial.  Now I'm not saying to lock yourself away to the point of feeling sad and lonely.  By all means, spend time with people you like.  Just don't take hosting or traveling to a point of exhaustion.  It's not just your own well being that must be considered.   What you do has a direct impact on your baby.  Which really should come as no surprise seeing how you are not fully separate entities yet.

If you are friends with a pregnant person, give them some slack.  It's hard work both physically and emotionally.  If your pregnant friend seems tired or upset do what you can to make the situation better.  And for heaven's sake, don't just guess at it, ask and listen and do what she says.  She may be visiting you, but lets be reasonable, it's not even on the same planet as being about you.