Strange Dreams During Pregnancy
You may have strange dreams or nightmares about the baby, and about labour and birth. This is normal.
Talking about them with your partner or midwife can help. Remember, just because you dream something, it does not mean it’s going to happen. Relaxation and breathing techniques may be helpful in reducing any anxiety you might be feeling.
How Early In Pregnancy Does Fatigue Start
One of the first signs of pregnancy is fatigue. It smacks you by surprise, like the sliding glass door you assumed to be open.
Beginning as early as conception and implantation, pregnancy hormones instantly affect your body, mood, metabolism, brain, physical appearance, and sleep pattern.
In the second trimester, which begins at week 13, many women get a fresh surge of energy. This is a great time to tackle those important before-baby-arrives chores, because as you enter the third trimester, which begins at week 28, that extreme exhaustion returns.
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
- back, hip, and pelvic pain
What Causes Pregnancy Fatigue
When you first become pregnant, your body immediately begins to undergo major changes. These physiologic changes in the body are what contribute to early pregnancy fatigue, says Dr. Biegner. Some of the changes during early pregnancy that may lead to an increase in fatigue include:
- Increase in hormones like progesterone
- Increase in blood volume to help support a developing baby and placenta
- Low blood sugar
- Sleep disturbances
The fatigue you experience in those early weeks of pregnancy may disappear as you enter your second trimester, but Dr. Biegner says to expect it to return as you enter the final weeks before delivery. Some women will experience fatigue in the third trimester as well, she explains. This can be caused by the following:
- Carrying a growing baby is more work for the body and may cause fatigue
- Multiple bathroom trips that disrupt a good nights sleep
- Difficulty sleeping due to inability to find a comfortable position
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When Does Fatigue Start During Pregnancy
Fatigue can start very early, mainly in the first weeks of pregnancy. Some pregnant women notice exhaustion as early as one week after conceiving.
Whereas fatigue gets better at the start of the second trimester, you can experience it later in your third trimester. However, like other symptoms, it varies from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Pregnancy Fatigue: Whats Normal And Whats Not
Are you dragging these days? Does a nap sound fantastic right now?
Life can be exhausting at times, but especially when youre pregnant. Its totally normal to have some degree of fatigue right nowyou are growing a human inside of you!
Fatigue may be one of the most common first symptoms of pregnancy a woman experiences, said Kelley Saunders, MD, an OBGYN at Banner University Medicine Womens Institute in Phoenix, AZ. It is very common and quite significant in the first trimester. For many women, this improves in the second trimester and returns in the late third trimester.
Although its common among pregnant women, you may still wonder why.
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What Else Could Be Going On
Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can also be the signs of other conditions, such as your period being ready to start or a hormonal imbalance. They also can result from stress or occur when you change birth control pills, so they dont always mean that youre pregnant. Be sure to see your doctor if you suspect that youre pregnant.
Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
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Missed Period During Early Pregnancy
Once implantation is complete, your body will begin making human chorionic gonadotropin . This hormone helps the body maintain the pregnancy. It also tells the ovaries to stop releasing mature eggs each month.
You will likely miss your next period 4 weeks after conception. If you typically have an irregular period, youll want to take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Most home tests can detect hCG as soon as 8 days after a missed period. A pregnancy test will be able to detect hCG levels in your urine and show if you are 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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Stay On Top Of Your Nutrition
A solid pregnancy diet can be a great way to keep your energy up. In particular, focus on getting enough iron, which supports red blood cell production and prevents any additional tiredness from anemia . Foods that are high in protein are also good choices, as protein is a longer-lasting source of energy compared to carbohydrates.
You may benefit from eating smaller meals throughout the day. This can help keep your blood sugar and energy levels consistent. Its also important to drink plenty of water, as water helps your body function properly.
Can You Tell Your Pregnant At 3 Weeks
While some people feel no difference at all at this early stage, others may start to notice 3 weeks pregnant symptoms. The experience at 3 weeks pregnant can really vary, so dont fret if you dont feel anything out of the ordinary. However, if you feel nauseous and your breasts are sore, thats normal too.
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How To Deal With Pregnancy Fatigue
While fatigue is inevitable, there are ways for you to restore a little more energy into your daily routine.
Remember
Get Additional Rest & Sleep
First of all, try to get as much sleep as possible. Dont let your habits prevent you from going earlier to bed if that is what your body wants.
If youre sleepy at 8 or 9 pm, its completely normal to say goodnight to your family. Try not to schedule meet-ups with your friends late in the evening, especially if youve been feeling tired lately. You can move your social meetings to breakfasts or lunches your friends will understand.
Also, take naps. 15-min naps can be miraculous. Although you might think 15 minutes is too short, it has the ability to reset your mind and body and provide you with a certain amount of drive and strength.
If you are a working mommy-to-be and there are no relax rooms at your place of work, take short breaks and do nothing lean against the back of the chair and just close your eyes.
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Do You Feel Tired During Implantation
According to Chloe Acevedo, M.D., an OB-GYN at Atlantic Medical Group Womens Health in New Jersey, other implantation symptoms include sore breasts, nausea, darkening of the areolas, fatigue, headaches, bloating, mood swings, a metallic taste in the mouth, and changes in appetite, all of which are more often
How Long Will Pregnancy Fatigue Last
For most pregnant women, the extreme exhaustion and tiredness of the first trimester will soon end as their second trimester begins. So if youre lying around, dozing, or napping in your first trimester, dont worry as pregnancy fatigue is completely normal in the first trimester.
However, fatigue could return in the third trimester because of pregnancy insomnia, growing baby bump, and increasing discomfort, but this too will pass in time.
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How Long Does Pregnancy Fatigue Last
One of the first signs of pregnancy is fatigue. It smacks you by surprise, like the sliding glass door you assumed to be open.
Beginning as early as conception and implantation, pregnancy hormones instantly affect your body, mood, metabolism, brain, physical appearance, and sleep pattern.
In the second trimester, which begins at week 13, many women get a fresh surge of energy. This is a great time to tackle those important before-baby-arrives chores, because as you enter the third trimester, which begins at week 28, that extreme exhaustion returns.
When To Contact Your Doctor Or Midwife
If insomnia, restless legs syndrome , sleep apnea , preeclampsia, or any other condition is hindering your sleep, talk to your doctor or midwife during your next appointment.
Other reasons to contact your doctor or midwife include, if you:
- feel concerned that the pregnancy fatigue is a sign of something more, like anemia, gestational diabetes, or depression
- develop any changes in your vision
- experience dizziness
- have shortness of breath, pain in your upper abdomen, or heart palpitations
- experience severe headaches
- 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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When Should I See My Doctor Or Midwife About Fatigue During Pregnancy
Fatigue is very common and normal during pregnancy. Still, dont hesitate to talk to your care provider at any point along your prenatal appointment timeline if you have questions or concerns about your level of tiredness.
But keep in mind, there are times when fatigue may be a symptom of a pregnancy complication like anemia, depression or gestational diabetes. Call your care provider if you experience sudden fatigue, fatigue that completely stops you from doing your daily tasks or if you have fatigue with any of the following:
- Pain in the chest, abdomen or head
What Not To Do
A lot of mistakes are made by women who are prone to increased fatigue. Many women confuse such a symptom with laziness, accusing themselves of taking advantage of their position. This is not worth doing because you can earn an intrapersonal conflict. He is very difficult to treat. Consider examples of what you definitely should not do with increased fatigue:
Load yourself with work
It is impossible to increase energy by increasing the working day or the number of household problems. No need to overload yourself if you feel weak. Be sure to put aside all the planned activities and rest.
Skip meals
Food is one of the main sources of energy. Skipping lunch or breakfast will lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. As a result weakness, fainting, and loss of strength.
Drink coffee or other energy drinks.
Caffeinated drinks have huge negative effects. This is high blood pressure, problems with blood vessels, addiction, and much more.
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What Causes Tiredness In Pregnancy
In the first 12 weeks your body is working incredibly hard and going through enormous changes. Your babys major organs are forming, your hormones are changing and your blood pressure and blood sugar fall. Small wonder that you feel more tired during these early weeks, and often tiredness is one of the first signs that you are pregnant. On top of that you may feel more emotional during these early weeks which in turn can affect your energy levels.
Our Expert Says…
After 28 weeks youre likely to feel tired from carrying the weight of your growing baby. In these later weeks, getting a good nights sleep can prove difficult most likely because your bump is uncomfortable, youre too hot, and youre up and down to the loo.
Excessive tiredness and lack of energy can be a symptom of iron deficiency anaemia: this is common in pregnancy due to a combination of more red blood cells being produced in pregnancy along with a lack of sufficient iron in the diet. Good sources of iron include red meat, green vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, lentils and beans.
Youll be tested for anaemia as part of your antenatal care at 812 weeks and at 28 weeks. Talk to your midwife if you have a history of anaemia or you think you have symptoms a blood test can be arranged at any point in pregnancy to get things checked out.
Pregnancy Glow And Acne During Early Pregnancy
Many people may begin saying you have the pregnancy glow. The combination of increased blood volume and higher hormone levels pushes more blood through your vessels. This causes the bodys oil glands to work overtime.
The increased activity of your bodys oil glands gives your skin a flushed, glossy appearance. On the other hand, you may also develop acne.
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that taking a home pregnancy test at this point will give a more accurate result.
Home pregnancy tests are inexpensive and widely available without a prescription in pharmacies and other stores.
You can take a test earlier than this if you want, but you run the risk of getting a false negative result. This means the test may say youre not pregnant, but in fact you are.
If you take a home pregnancy test too early, there may not be enough hCG in your urine yet for the test to detect it. Home pregnancy tests work by testing the amount of hCG in your urine. This is a hormone thats only present in the blood and urine of pregnant people.
Also, every persons body chemistry is a bit different. One person may get a positive result as early as a day after their period, while another persons positive results may not show up for another week. So, early test results may not be the most accurate.
Unlike at-home urine tests, blood tests are usually done in a clinical setting. Contact your doctor if you want this type of test.
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What Can I Do To Help Cope With Tiredness In Pregnancy
Simple measures can help you to cope with tiredness in pregnancy. In the later stages of pregnancy you will need more rest than usual, which of course can be difficult if you are still working or are looking after other children. Having a daytime nap can help, along with sitting with your feet up when you can and getting an early night.
Accept help from family, friends or colleagues if you struggle to find time to rest. Other tips include:
- Eat a healthy diet, including foods rich in iron and protein, to keep your energy levels up
- Avoid tea, coffee or other caffeinated drinks in the eveningremember there is a recommended limit of 200 mg of caffeine each day for pregnant women
- Drink plenty of fluids during the day but cut down on how much you drink in the evening to reduce needing the loo during the night
- Keep active during the day and throughout pregnancy aim to exercise for 150 minutes per week. Swimming, walking and pregnancy- yoga are all great forms of exercise
- Dont smoke or drink alcohol. Theyll harm your baby as well as stopping you sleeping
- Use pillows between your knees and to support your bump if it makes lying on your side more comfortable
- If you cant sleep once youre in bed, try not to worryits frustrating but it wont harm your baby. Worrying will make it harder to switch off and relax
- Try a relaxing bedtime routine, maybe a warm bath and reading, and avoid screens for the last hour before bed as these can activate your brain rather than calm it down.
