Fatigue During Pregnancy: Causes and 7 Useful Tips

Tired a lot when you’re pregnant? Here you can find out where the fatigue during pregnancy comes from and what you can do about it.

Fatigue during pregnancy: Introduction

• Pregnancy is a very special situation for the body, which brings with it many changes. Many women experience increased fatigue during pregnancy, which is often combined with listlessness and sluggishness.
• Basically, fatigue is completely normal for pregnant women, as the hormones are once again to blame … The hormone progesterone in particular calms the body, especially at the beginning of a pregnancy, and thus causes fatigue.
• We will now tell you how the fatigue of future mothers changes during the course of a pregnancy.

Fatigue during pregnancy: Phases

• First Trimester: The progesterone makes pregnant women feel particularly tired in the first months of pregnancy. Due to a stimulated metabolism, the body also burns more energy, which causes additional fatigue. In addition, there is the emotional sensation caused by pregnancy and increased blood pressure. Many pregnant women also suffer from complaints such as nausea or vomiting, which can also affect sleep.
• Second Trimester: The second trimester of pregnancy is sometimes considered the most pleasant. The body has adjusted to the pregnancy and the pregnant woman also gets a better feeling for her pregnancy. Nevertheless, days of tiredness can also occur during this phase.
• Third Trimester: In the last months before birth, the baby is getting bigger and bigger and every movement is exhausting. Complaints in the abdomen or back ensure that expectant mothers do not allow themselves to move around unnecessarily. Sleep is generally more restless, which in turn leads to increased tiredness during the day.

Fatigue during pregnancy: Overview of possible causes

• Hormonal changes
• Metabolic change
• Blood pressure drops
• Higher energy consumption during pregnancy
• Iron deficiency or hypothyroidism (blood test by a doctor for diagnosis)
• Poor nutrition and too little exercise during pregnancy

Fatigue during pregnancy: 7 useful tips

1. Incorporate more exercise into everyday life. Light sport (e.g. swimming or yoga) is beneficial.
2. Walk in the fresh air.
3. Allow rest or sleep when the body is exhausted, but do not overdo it.
4. Drink a lot, especially tea and water.
5. Follow a balanced diet with small portions spread throughout the day.
6. Alternating showers stimulate the blood pressure.
7. Iron-containing foods for iron deficiency