Pregnancy Fatigue
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I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter — how the tiredness hit me so suddenly in my first trimester. It was as if someone stuck a straw in my belly button and sucked out every ounce of energy in my body, leaving one tired vessel behind.
Over the next few weeks, I managed to find a few quick and easy solutions to the extreme tiredness I was feeling. When I was not able to fit a nap into an already over-scheduled day, or I had already taken one, I found that taking a quick stroll around the block helped to clear and refresh my head. Going outside and enjoying a change of scenery helped to energize me for the rest of the day.
Sipping a cold glass of water also helped me to feel less fatigued. Mild dehydration is actually a quite common (and often overlooked) cause of fatigue. Dehydration can reduce blood volume and reduce blood flow to your organs, which ends up slowing down your brain, and thus, slowing you down. Be sure to drink about 8 glasses of water per day, and don’t wait until you feel thirsty – by then you are already becoming dehydrated. Try squeezing some lemon or lime juice in your water for some extra flavoring or to make it more palatable.
I also made sure to eat healthy as often as I could. I found that when I ate a protein rich lunch I had more energy to get me through the afternoon. Also, protein containing snacks combined with carbs, such as cheese or peanut butter and crackers, or a handful of nuts helped to keep me energized as well.
Pregnancy can certainly bring on a feeling of fatigue like you’ve never known, but I learned that there are a few easy things I could do throughout the day to stave off the groggy feeling and get through my day. What are some of your tips for pregnancy fatigue?
