I have had a lot of pregnancy symptoms this 4th time around. Now I find myself at 12 weeks along and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older, or if this is just a difficult pregnancy. I have had digestive issues as well as quite a bit of fatigue, which could be related to said pesky and persistent digestive issues.
Another issue I’ve been struggling with is fatigue. I need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and then I have a really hard time getting back to sleep which makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning and even harder to take care of 3 kids and a house during the day.
I feel like I have to take a nap nearly every day and I’m still dragging most of the time. I do have good days and feel great so I feel blessed when I have moments like that!
At my last appointment with my midwife, Richelle Jolley, we discussed some natural helps for pregnancy fatigue as well as some pregnancy fatigue causes.
Watch the video below to see what she suggests for fatigue.
Toxin Patrol
Take a good quality food based Prenatal Vitamin. This one is hands down the best and this is an amazing price for it on Amazon. It is perfect for those of us like me with food allergies as it is free of the most common allergens.
A good addition would also be a quality probiotic. My midwife suggests this one.
I know this sounds simplistic, but I also suggest opening the windows in your home for 15 minutes a day no matter what season it is. This helps with toxins in your house and viruses and chemicals you may be breathing in. I keep my bedroom window cracked at night (even in the winter) and it helps me sleep better.
Kidney Support
Dandelion supplement
Drink 1/2 – 1 gallon of water each day. Try to drink more in the morning and less in the evening to avoid having to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
Liver Support
Dandelion supplement
Milk thistle supplement
Adrenal Support
Licorice Root– to be taken temporarily and under supervision from your doctor or midwife
L-Tyrosine
B-Complex. You don’t necessarily have to take this one, but find one high in B-5.
Vitamin C. This one is less acidic in your stomach, which is a good thing during pregnancy
Other things to try
Add more pillows to keep you comfortable
Get a pregnancy body pillow, especially when it’s time to sleep on your side all the time in the second trimester.
Get a better mattress. This is the one we decided on (only with a split king mattress and an adjustable base). So, it’s kindof like a hospital bed, but more comfy.
Also remember to limit electronic devices 1-2 hours before bedtime and sleep in a completely dark and slightly cool room.
Stress relief techniques may help immensely with sleeping better.
For further reading and more ideas on the topic, check out this article on BabyCenter.com for additional resources.
*Disclaimer: Since everyone is different, please consult your doctor before trying anything suggested in this post. I am not a doctor and do not profess to be, so please talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pregnancy fatigue and if these remedies will help you.
