What’s the most common ailment during pregnancy? Fatigue takes the top spot.
A recent WiserPregnancy survey finds that almost three-quarters of women experience fatigue—extreme tiredness or exhaustion—during pregnancy. The next most common ailments were back pain (experienced by 68% of women) and morning sickness (faced by 58% of moms-to-be).
Why does pregnancy sap your energy? Physical changes are largely responsible. Your hormone levels spike during the first few weeks of pregnancy as your body prepares itself to nourish a developing baby. Progesterone in particular can cause sluggishness and sleepiness.
Metabolism and circulatory changes can cause your blood sugar levels and blood pressure can plummet at times, making you feel exhausted. Added to physical changes, the emotional and mental stress of being pregnant can physically drain your energy.
What can you do to fight fatigue? Most women try sleeping more, taking vitamins, eating well and exercising more. Survey results show that other than sleeping more, these remedies help you and your baby stay healthy overall but won’t do much to perk you up.
About one-third of women get advice from a doctor or reduce work hours to deal with fatigue. About 20% found that these measures seem to help a lot.
Some women find nothing can drive away fatigue. An unlucky 32% of women say that they were always tired during pregnancy.
What did you do to fight fatigue during pregnancy? Did your energy pick back up after the first trimester, or did fatigue stick with you throughout pregnancy?
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