Fatigue is one of the symptoms that come along with your pregnancy. It can be really hard to keep going when you want to. There are things you can use and ways you can go about lessening your fatigue. And you’ll find them right here. But first, let’s address the “why?”
Why do I Feel so Tired During Pregnancy?
Hormonal changes in your early pregnancy will cause you to feel more fatigued. As your body creates more blood to take nutrients to your baby you will have lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels. This along with an increase in progesterone levels will cause you to feel sleepy. You will start feeling this fatigue early on in your pregnancy while you still have to keep yourself on your regular schedule. This takes us to the next question.
How do I Deal with Pregnancy Fatigue at Work?
During pregnancy, most women continue to work for the majority of the pregnancy. With pregnancy fatigue, the workplace can be a drag. Here are some tips on how you increase your energy and remain productive and safe on the job while feeling less fatigued.
- Consume foods that are high in protein and iron. Opt for poultry, red meat, seafood, beans and whole grains that are iron-fortified as well as leafy green vegetables.
- Ensure you are getting adequate fluids. Keep a bottle of water at your desk so you can continue to sip throughout the day.
- Take short breaks throughout the day to get up and move around. This can help to reinvigorate you and get rid of the feeling of sleepiness and fatigue that can set in when doing monotonous tasks.
- Scaling back on some nonessential activities can also prove to benefit you so you can stay alert at work. These activities don’t have to be work-related but if you cut back on some things you will have more energy for work.
- Stay on track with your fitness routine. You may think that exercise is the worse idea right now but the truth is it can help to boost your energy levels. This is especially true if you have a job that has you sitting at your desk all day. Keep your exercise simple, join a prenatal class or simply take a walk before or after work.
- Lastly, but definitely not least, get as much rest as you can. So you want to go to bed early. When sleeping try to stay on your left side so that your baby has enough blood flow. Place a pillow between your legs as well as underneath your belly for added comfort.
In addition to the above tips for coping with fatigue at work, there are a number of natural options for boosting your energy. We’ll talk about these in the next section. We have spoken about water above and high protein and high iron foods so below we will explore more items you can add to your diet that will help you feel less fatigued.
Natural Energy Boosters
Pregnancy can really wear you down, yes, growing a baby is tiring to the body but you have a couple of options from mother nature to help you out. Here are just a couple of foods that are safe to use during pregnancy as energy boosters and they taste great!
- Nuts – These are a great snack option that can be had throughout the day. They are also convenient as you can easily carry them around. They are high in protein as well as fiber and healthy fats. These fats are good for both you and your growing baby. Just don’t go too crazy eating all the nuts because the calories add up fast.
- Mangoes – During the final stages of pregnancy, most women get a little anemic. AT this time the body is preparing for birth by creating a lot of blood. While this is taking place you will find yourself feeling very fatigued. Mangoes can help as they are high in folate and Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for the absorption of iron from your beans and red meat.
- Sweet Potatoes – A medium sweet potato has 0.8 mg of iron, it also has Vitamin C and copper that helps your body to absorb iron. The body can also use the beta-carotene in sweet potato to make Vitamin A which is great for the development of skin, bone, and eyes.
If you are eating well and still need a little boost to help fight fatigue. Here are a couple items you can purchase and use to help fight fatigue during pregnancy. Check out the 7 items below that can make your pregnancy just a little more bearable.
This supplement is ideal for women who are trying to get pregnant, those who are pregnant and those who are breastfeeding. It works to reduce fatigue by providing you with a complete nutrition profile ensuring you and your baby have all the nutrients they need. Its magnesium content helps with soothing muscles and it can even ease leg cramps. This formulation is gluten, soy, yeast, dairy, and wheat free. There are also no added flavors or preservatives.
Pros
- Can be taken by vegetarians
- Good at different stages of pregnancy
- Made in the USA
- Recommended by the American Pregnancy Association
Cons
- Doesn’t work for Restless Leg Syndrome
Take a well-deserved bath with these bath salts from Pink Stork. They offer medium relief from your pregnancy aches and help you to really unwind after your day. The product comes packaged in a bag that provides approximately 8 to 10 baths per bag if you use a half cup of flakes. A soak in a bath made with these will have you feeling more relaxed and calm. It will help to alleviate any minor aches and pains you have as well.
Pros
- Made by women for women
- High-quality salts from the dead sea
- Gentle on your skin
- Relieves fatigue, aches, pains
- Provides a relaxing effect
- Non-GMO, no preservatives, no colors, no animal products
- Can feel the difference between these and your regular Epsom salt
Cons
- More on the pricey side, but worth it!
These PARS compression socks are a great choice for helping you to deal with leg fatigue. They are made with a unique fiber structure which allows them to provide optimum compression. They are built with moisture-wicking technology and the fabric is also antibacterial so they can remain comfortable while providing you with the support your calves, heels, and toes need. These are unique in how they are designed with individual right and left options They will help to stimulate blood circulation and to reduce swelling. They are a great option if you suffer from varicose veins as well.
Pros
- High performing
- Unique
- Breathable
- Sleek
- Easy to wash and dry
Cons
- Order a size up as these run small
This body pillow from Leachco is a great option if you are plagued with fatigue because you are not sleeping well. This pillow allows you to get full support as it can be used to support your belly and your back. By placing the pillow between your knees you will find that you can sleep comfortably as this helps to improve airflow. With a C shape the pillow provides you support through your entire pregnancy as your need for different sleeping positions change with your changing body.
Pros
- Adjustable for both back and belly support
- Comfortable in multiple positions
- Fitted with a washable cover
- Temperature control
Cons
- Standard pillow covers do not have zippers, these have to be purchased additionally
While the Hiccapop wedge looks like a standard round wedge pillow it has a lot of benefits to offer when compared to other pillows of a similar design. It has enhanced design features that are best suited for mother’s to be. It has a dual side design allowing you to adjust support as needed for different trimesters. It can be used in a variety of ways too. It can give you added support while driving, it can provide you with back support at your desk or it can support your belly when you are taking a nap.
Pros
- Multi-use
- Compact, lightweight and easy to carry around
- Removable cover
- Machine washable cover
- Affordable
- Customizable
- Good during pregnancy and afterward
Cons
- Will not replace a need for multiple pillows at one time
- Entire pillow is not washable
These shoes from Skechers are highly comfortable, they are designed with a 5GEN midsole that allows you to walk with little to no impact on your feet. These will help to reduce fatigue if you must be on your feet for long periods. They are also great for walking to maintain your physical activity. It is great for wear for an entire day and it is available in a number of colorways and styles so you can find one to suit your lifestyle. They are very durable and will last for the entirety of your pregnancy and beyond.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Available in many options
- Ideal for all-day wear
- Ideal for exercise
- Ideal for travel
Cons
- Doesn’t offer much protection to feet from stones or other debris that you may come into contact with for example when doing a trail walk.
This protein shake is a great way to add protein to your diet easily. It is ideal for those who don’t have an appetite and need to meet their dietary requirements. The shake is delicious and healthy and is recommended by Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It has vitamin B-6 that is known to provide relief from morning sickness. It easily mixes smoothly and is gluten and Non-GMO free.
Pros
- Excellent nutrition profile
- Tackles fatigue from the inside out
- Great for pregnancy and beyond
- Great tasting shake
- Mixes out smoothly and easily
- Gluten-free and Non GMO
Cons
- The vanilla flavor is noted as being very sweet
Conclusion / Wrap-Up
There are options to help with pregnancy-related fatigue. You can start with your diet, a healthy diet will provide you with a lot of benefits. Your baby will benefit as well. There are options outside of what you ingest that can help you to find relief for your fatigue. Products like the Leachco snoogle pillow offer women support they need to sleep better which can help them feel better during the day. The Skechers show is ideal for keeping you in the active game as it is comfortable enough to keep your legs fatigue and pain-free so you can keep doing your morning or evening walks.
If you find that you are trying all or most of the options above and not getting any relief from your fatigue you should check with your OB/GYN. They may want to test your iron levels or test your thyroid function.
Cris
