Prioritise REST!

The fatigue of pregnancy serves to remind you exactly what miracle your body is performing, so it’s essential to listen to it. Here’s what you can do to get through these low times.

- CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR TINA OTTE

From the moment of conception,there’s an explosion of life as yourbody lifts off and bursts with creation. If you stop and consider what a feat your body is performing as it builds a new body cell by cell (in only 280 days), you can understand your need for rest. In the beginning, the need for sleep catches you unawares, and you may find yourself nodding off during breakfast, lunch and supper. If this is unusual for you, or if you’ve never been pregnant before, it can cause great concern as you rush to the doctor, thinking you’re anaemic or suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. No, s/he tells you, something is very right, you’re pregnant! Pregnancy fatigue happens at different stages of pregnancy and for different reasons.

EARLY SLEEPY FEELINGS

It’s commonly referred to as a “natural lethargy”. In fact, it’s often a first sign of pregnancy, and if you’ve been pregnant before, the fatigue may make you suspicious enough to do a pregnancy test. As your body moves into a position of defence, these feelings of weariness and laziness are nature’s way of slowing you down so that you don’t do anything potentially dangerous. This is the most important developmental stage of your baby’s life, both inside and outside the womb. The rate of growth is phenomenal. Go ahead and give in to these feelings. Follow your body’s lead and nap whenever you can, without feeling guilty.

During the first trimester, your body is in turbo mode, and it takes a lot of super-charged energy to adjust to the hormonal changes.

Nausea and vomiting are very much part of early pregnancy, and this can make matters worse. It’s draining on a physical and emotional level! Other emotions, such as anxiety and worry, can add to the fatigue you feel.