Should I be this tired at 28 weeks?

[JLeigh29]

So, I'm 28 weeks on Friday and am so tired all the time. I have no energy at all. Even the simplest thing like having a shower or getting dressed leave me exhausted and having to lie down. I can feel my heart beating in my chest (though its not racing). A gentle walk to the park (just over five minutes) leaves me exhausted for the rest of the day. I fell asleep while waiting for a bus with DS and DH yesterday (which DH thought was hilarious!)

I feel guilty that DS is spending almost every day playing on the floor next to me while I am lying on the lounge. DH comes home after a 10 hour work day and I haven't done any washing, shopping, housework or prepared dinner at least twice a week. He hasn't once complained, but I don't remember feeling so lacking in energy with DS.

I have never had low iron levels (they have always been in the high normal range) and all other tests have been normal so far. My ob just says you feel more tired the second time around as you have a child to look after.

Is it just a part of pregnancy, or could there be something else going on?

[Arimeh]

Have you had your iron levels checked recently? I had mine taken several times during pregnancy because they kept dropping - and I felt the sane way.

I'd get a blood test to see - BTW mine weren't particularly low - just obviously too low for me. Taking a supplement helped.

[Bloom]

It could also be low blood pressure - I had this on and off during all my pregnancies. They can't do much for it, bu it helps to drink LOTS of water.

Also, how recently was your diabetes test done? It could be worth while checking your blood sugar levels (if you know a diabetic, you can just do a simple finger ***** test yourself a few hours after your last meal). GD can develop even after you've passed the screening test.

And I would be taking an iron supplement as well. I used a liquid one from the health food shop. Liquorice is also very high in iron.

To me, it doesn't sound like just normal tiredness. I think OBs/MWs can sometimes under-estimate and not appreciate "minor" symptoms. I know at one appointment my MW wrote "generally well" in my notes after I'd described extreme tiredness and almost fainting several times that morning!

[TickToc]

I was having the same problem a few weeks ago, most mornings I had to sit on the toilet to blow dry my hair because I didn't have the energy to stand up. I saw my gp who thought I was anaemic. Blood tests showed my iron was low but not overly so however my vitamin D levels were extremely low. Since then I've been taking 2 vitamin D tablets & an iron tablet in the morning along with my pregnancy multi vitamin & I do feel better. I still fatigue easily if I over do it but as long as I pace myself & rest I can get through the day without falling asleep.

[AnyDream]

Definitely pop along to your GP for some blood tests, BP test, etc. It may be "normal" but you won't know unless you check. In the meantime, do whatever you need to cope. Ask for help, schedule rest times, and try not to fritter away the energy you have doing things that someone else can pick up instead.

[~Kim~]

MD has some sage advice. I felt like that with DS' pregnancy and tests showed my thyroid was not so great. Once I went onto thyroxine i felt a million bucks. Didn't do it with either of my girls pregnancies.

[JLeigh29]

Thanks for your great suggestions ladies. I only did the GD test yesterday so don't have those results back yet. I might talk to the dr about getting my iron levels checked. I didn't realise that you can feel tired even if your iron levels aren't considered 'low' - and if mine have always been borderline high, they might not need to be 'low' for it to affect me. Wouldn't be surprised if I am lacking vit D either as I've been rugged up and inside all winter - looking forward to some hot weather coming up so I can get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

MD - I've been trying hard to take it easy, and think I do pretty well most of the time. Getting rest during the day is hard with DS, but I do try to just sit for a bit, even if I can't sleep.

[Bloom]

Glad to hear you've got some good ideas.

One thing that helped for me with the tiredness/resting was putting a single bed mattress on the floor in our toy room (or where ever your DS plays). Then I could lie down comfortably with a pillow and I would actually get a bit of rest while they played/climbed on me/read books together. Much better than just the floor!

ETA. My grandfather used to say: Why stand when you can sit, why sit when you can lie. That should be your new motto!

[JLeigh29]

Bloom - your grandfather was obviously highly intelligent, lol!

DH bought me a Valco recliner/feeding chair for the playroom as we figured I'd be feeding and sleeping with Bub in there a lot - it's getting a great workout already And DS plays a lot in the lounge while I lie down these days.

[squeezles]

I am exhausted this time around. not sure if it is because i'm older or because it is my 2nd or what. Finding it hard even walking up stairs!!