4 Tips to Surviving Pregnancy Fatigue
The fatigue is real ya'll. Remember when you would wake up like a zombie but after your coffee or shower you were (usually) awake and ready to start the day?
Well not when your growing a human. For the next 20 or so weeks you might be experiencing pregnancy fatigue! You usually start feeling much more like yourself in the 2nd trimester, so there is hope!
But until then.... here are some tips that will hopefully be able to get you from point A to point B ( aka point B being your bed).
#1 Take NAPS!!!!
One of the perks of carrying a little energy sucker is that you can take naps and no one will call you lazy !
This was vital for me with my first pregnancy. Every day at lunch I went to my car, laid the seat back as far as it would go and turn the alarm on my phone on for 20 minutes. This was my magic number. It gave me that little boost I needed to get through the rest of the day.
So I highly suggest taking advantage of your down time and using it for YOU!!
#2 Drink yo water !
- You probably could guess this one right? Since drinking more water seems to help just about everything. But it is so true. Your body needs extra hydration while pregnant so make sure your getting 8 to 10 cups of water in a day.
*** Tip: The first sign of dehydration is feeling thirsty
#3 Eat more protein, fiber and Iron!
These nutrients will help you feel full and energize, therefore reducing your fatigue!
If you noticed that you feel more sluggish at a certain time of the day, try adding a small protein rich snack at that time.
Ie: almonds, string cheese, cottage cheese, peanut butter ( any nut butter)
Try to include iron-rich foods; leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and meats, in every meal– as well as fresh fruits and vegetables because If you are low in iron you will feel super tired. Eating citrus ( vitamin c rich fruits) will help your body absorb the Iron!
** make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins. If they are making you nauseated. Try taking them after dinner.
#4 Stay active
The rule of thumb is... If you were active and exercising before pregnancy, you are more likely safe to continue.
**Run your exercise routine by your provider to make sure that what you are doing is safe for you and baby.
I highly suggest prenatal yoga to keep your joints and ligaments loose and flexible ( most importantly your hips) !!
This will come in handy for labor.
Yoga with Adriene is my favorite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cKnStmV1dI
At your doctors appointment you will be getting blood work done at your initial appointment. He will be doing routine lab work to check many things including your Thyroid and your red blood count which is associated with anemia and really common in pregnancy.
It would be a good idea when you go to your appointment let him or her know that you have been really tired and ASK him what your levels are at! Some doctors are really busy and see hundreds of lab results come in daily so make sure to have them stop and check your number while you are there. It should be in your chart and very easy for them to check quickly for you! It could be just regular pregnancy fatigue, but you want to make sure its not associated with anemia or your thyroid.
You got this Momma!
Now go get your nap on
