Is It Common To Be So Tired In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy
Feeling dog tired, cant summon the energy to do much of anything, and craving your bed? For many women, the extreme tiredness of the first trimester is quite a surprise. And its an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy. Women who usually need only 6 hours of sleep at night often find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy. And, for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.
Fatigue Early Pregnancy Sign
Fatigue Early Pregnancy Sign
fatigue early pregnancy sign
Fatigue is a very common early sign of pregnancy. Its thought to be caused by the hormonal changes that occur soon after conception.
In early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar. Progesterone is responsible for many of the symptoms of early pregnancy, including fatigue.
Other causes of fatigue during early pregnancy include:
Increased blood volume.
Increased production of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin .
Nutritional deficiencies.
Sleep deprivation.
If youre experiencing fatigue during early pregnancy, make sure you get plenty of rest. Drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
If your fatigue doesnt improve, talk to your doctor. He or she may want to do some tests to determine whether youre pregnant.
Light Bleeding Or Spotting
Implantation bleeding is the light vaginal bleeding that typically occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. It shouldnt cause anything more than mild spotting, which you may notice in your underwear. Implantation bleeding can also be accompanied by mild cramps that resemble the cramps of menstruation.
If the bleeding is heavy or if the cramping is severe, contact a health care provider for advice.
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What Are The Most Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
- Missed period. If youre in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.
- Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
- Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, often begins one month after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy isnt clear, pregnancy hormones likely play a role.
- Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.
- Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar which might make you feel sleepy.
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Keep A Pregnancy Journal Or Dream Diary
Keep a journal throughout your pregnancy. If youre feeling anxious or stressed, try writing in it.
Pregnant women experience more vivid dreams and better dream recall, due to hormonal shifts affecting sleep patterns, increased fatigue, and repeatedly waking in the middle of a sleep cycle.
Sleep diaries can also be enlightening, providing concrete data about your bedtime, how long it takes for you to fall asleep, nighttime awakenings, awake time, and sleep quality.
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You Have More Back Pain And Cramps
Cramps or aches are nothing to be alarmed about its a normal part of the pregnancy experience. As you approach your due date, you may begin to notice an increase in cramps and back pain. This is from the stretching and shifting of your muscles and joints as your baby moves through your body, which can be a sign that your due date is drawing near. If you are experiencing pain that causes you to cry out or spasm involuntarily, or pain that makes it impossible to walk, go to the emergency room immediately or
I Think I Might Be Pregnant
Nothing is more likely to make you feel like youre in limbo than suspecting that youre pregnant but not knowing for sure. Sure, it can cause you undue stress, worry, and anxiety, but it can also make you feel hopeful and excited.
Early warning signs and symptoms can give you a heads up that you may be pregnant. Just keep in mind that they are not to be taken as sure signs of pregnancy, but rather indicators instead. Youll want to take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Not all women experience pregnancy the same, nor do they experience the same early pregnancy symptoms. While many do experience early pregnancy symptoms, they may be different for you than they are for your colleague or best friend.
Whats more, if youve been pregnant before, the early symptoms you experience this time around may not be the same as your last pregnancy. Keep in mind, that many of these symptoms mimic menstruation symptoms before you get your period and after so you might be pregnant and not even realize it.
Below are some of the common early pregnancy signs and symptoms. However, its important to know that these symptoms could be due to other things going on with your body other than pregnancy. Therefore, youre not necessarily pregnant if you notice any of the symptoms below. Again, as it bears repeating, the only way to know for sure if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
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What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that happens outside of the uterus. This happens when a fertilized egg implants in a structure that cant support its growth. An ectopic pregnancy often happens in the fallopian tube . In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy can occur on an ovary or in the abdominal cavity.
This is a life-threatening condition. An ectopic pregnancy is not a pregnancy that can be carried to term and can be dangerous for the mother if not treated right away.
Very Early Signs Of Pregnancy You Need To Know
There ya go!
Some very early pregnancy symptoms you need to know did any of your symptoms match my list?
If so, you might want totake a pregnancy test.
Maybe youre TTC and waiting for that BPF . Or maybe youre completely surprised by some weird change currently happening in your body and want to know if you could be pregnant.
Either way, I truly hope you get the result you want!
Over to you!!
Let me know in the comments what symptoms first gave you the clue that you might be pregnant.
Dont forget to pin for later!
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Get Your Other Children Involved
If you have other kids at home, its no wonder if youre feeling extra tired. Either way, it’s not easy but still important to make yourself a priority.
Explain to your kids that youre feeling sleepy because growing a baby is hard work. Ask for their help around the house. Spend more time on quiet pursuits together, like reading, doing puzzles, playing doctor where you’re the patient , and watching movies.
Squeezing in extra shut-eye may be difficult, but if you can time your rest with their naptime or quiet time, you may be able to swing it.
Can Pregnancy Fatigue Hurt My Baby
Rest assured that the majority of the time, fatigue related to normal changes of pregnancy is not harmful to the pregnancy or pregnancy development, says Dr. Biegner. However, its important to note that pregnancy fatigue can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition , she notes. Severe or persistent fatigue that is not relieved with the above remedies may warrant additional evaluation.
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Nausea And Morning Sickness
Nausea is the feeling of sickness that makes you want to vomit. It is sometimes called feeling queasy in the stomach.
The discomfort occurs in the upper stomach but may not always lead to vomiting. Morning sickness may start to occur as early as the first 3 weeks before a missed period.
- It can get heightened during implantation.
- During implantation, the body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin .
- HCG has been linked with morning sickness and vomiting.
Nausea that is caused by pregnancy can occur any time of the day. It is very common in the morning but it can occur at noon and even in the evenings. Constantly feeling like you want to vomit should start to subside by the second trimester.
The Most Common Sign Of Early Pregnancy A Missed Period
Your menstrual cycle is your bodys way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month. Part of that is the thickening of your uterine lining, which is where a fertilized egg would implant to begin a pregnancy.
If youre not pregnant, your period is how your uterus sheds that extra lining. If you are pregnant, that lining stays put and you dont get your normal flow. This is why a missed period is often the earliest sign of pregnancy.
Of course, a delayed or missed period doesnt always mean youre pregnant. If your body is under a lot of stress or you have a hormonal imbalance, you could be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.
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Can I Prevent An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented. But you can try to reduce your risk factors by following good lifestyle habits. These can include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and preventing any sexually transmitted infections . Talk to your healthcare provider about any risk factors you may have before trying to become pregnant.
It’s Easy To Get The Care You Need
See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.
If youre trying to conceive, taking a pregnancy test at the right time is always your best bet to determine whether or not youre pregnant.
But even before its time to take a pregnancy test, you might notice symptoms. Thats because, even in early pregnancy, hormonal and physical changes can take place in your body.
With all of the hormones rushing through a pregnant womans body, its no wonder that headaches are another common early sign of pregnancy.
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Coping With Tiredness Of Early Pregnancy
This tiredness is normal. It will pass.
Eating a healthy diet may help your energy levels. You may find that gentle exercise makes you feel good and you will have more energy.
If your feelings of anxiety are prevailing over your daily life, talk to a support person. If these feelings persist, make an appointment with your GP.
Usually, by the second trimester , your energy will return. Until then, rest when you can. Try to do your daily tasks in order of priority rather than trying to do everything.
How Long After Conception Will My Pregnancy Test Be Positive
It can take between 11 and 14 days after conception to get a positive pregnancy test. At-home pregnancy tests check for human chorionic gonadotropin , a hormone released by the placenta. Your pee must have enough hCG to get a positive pregnancy test. However, your healthcare provider can check for hCG in your blood sooner around 10 days after conception.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Conception is when sperm fertilizes an egg. Its one of the many critical steps in getting pregnant. Conceiving a child is a complex process dependent on lots of factors. Being unable to conceive is a common problem, and there are lots of resources available to help you. Contact your healthcare provider if youre struggling with conceiving. They can explain the process and identify any issues preventing conception and pregnancy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/06/2022.
References
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Spotting Sign Of Pregnancy
There are many ways to determine if you are pregnant. One way is to take a home pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests are available at most pharmacies and drug stores. They are reliable and easy to use.
The most common signs of early pregnancy are a missed period, nausea, and fatigue. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other factors, such as stress or illness. So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to take a home pregnancy test to be sure.
If the test is positive, you should make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the pregnancy and to discuss your prenatal care. Congratulations!
Early Signs Of Second Pregnancy Before Missed Period
The early signs of a second pregnancy before a missed period can be difficult to distinguish from the symptoms of a first pregnancy. However, there are a few subtle differences that may indicate that you are pregnant with a second child.
One of the most common early signs of a second pregnancy is a change in your menstrual cycle. If you have a regular menstrual cycle and it suddenly changes, this could be a sign that you are pregnant. For example, you may have a shorter or longer cycle than normal, or you may start to experience spotting between periods.
Another early sign of a second pregnancy is a different kind of morning sickness. Many women experience morning sickness during the early stages of their first pregnancy, but this symptom may be less severe in subsequent pregnancies. Additionally, the types of foods that trigger nausea and vomiting may be different in subsequent pregnancies.
You may also start to show earlier in a second pregnancy than you did in your first. This is because the uterus grows more quickly in subsequent pregnancies. Additionally, the breasts may start to swell and become tender earlier in a second pregnancy.
If you are experiencing any of these early signs of a second pregnancy, see your doctor for a confirmation.
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Going To The Toilet A Lot
When youre pregnant, the urge to wee will come over you often, sometimes even leaking out before you get there.
This happens as your body pumps more blood than normal when youre pregnant. That means the kidney processes more fluid than usual, leading to more fluid in your bladder .
In the later stages of pregnancy, youll run to the loo even more often because of the increased pressure of your babys head .
What Can You Do To Feel Better
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Good nutrition and eating small, frequent, healthy meals can keep you going and can also help with nausea.
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If youre at work and fighting back drooping eyelids, try some stretches or deep breathing exercises. Or get up and walk around the office or take a break outside.
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When you can, go for a brisk walk around the block. A little exercise can energize you and may help you rest better when you do get to sleep.
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Adapt your sleep habits. Take naps, if possible, during the day. You may also want to try going to bed earlier.
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Drink enough fluids during the day and little several hours before bedtime. This may help you avoid having to get up to urinate during the night.
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Prioritize Rest And Sleep
If you’re tired, try to rest when you can and pace yourself. Spend evenings relaxing with your feet up. Dont feel obligated to join a dinner with friends or an after-work drink with colleagues.
Don’t wait until nightfall to take it easy, either: If you have the option, take a brief snooze during the day. Not much of a napper? There’s never been a better time to try!
If you’re at work all day, a nap may not be an option, but youll likely find that putting your feet up at your desk or in a break room during lunch or downtime may give you a quick boost of energy or simply help with swelling in the feet and ankles in the latter part of pregnancy.
Is It Normal To Feel So Tired During Pregnancy
Yes, although the extreme tiredness of the first trimester can come as quite a surprise. It can be an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy. Women who usually need only six hours of sleep at night may find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy.
And for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.
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What Are Some Less Common Signs Of Early Pregnancy
There are some additional signs of early pregnancy that arent as common. Just like with the most common symptoms, these signs of pregnancy may or may not happen. Its important to remember that everyone is different and experiences signs of pregnancy differently.
Less common signs of early pregnancy can include:
Why Am I So Tired
Simply put, you feel tired because youre growing a baby.
In addition to hormonal changes, physical and emotional changes also lower your energy levels and make you feel fatigued.
Some of these changes include:
- increased levels of estrogen and progesterone
- lower blood pressure and blood sugar
- increased blood flow
- notice a swelling of your hands, ankles, and feet
Your healthcare practitioner can help you uncover any problems and offer additional solutions.
Growing a baby obviously takes a toll on your body. Dont ignore the signals your body is sending you. Reach out to others if youre struggling to sleep throughout your pregnancy. Ask for help from your partner.
No matter how tired you get, you should avoid taking any over-the-counter medicines as a sleeping aid.
Most pregnant women should spend at least 8 hours in bed, aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If possible, try going to sleep a little earlier than usual.
As your body changes, make sleep a priority and follow these tips to combat pregnancy fatigue:
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