A pregnant woman constantly experiences fatigue during her pregnancy. This is because she is carrying the weight of her baby and she is providing for her baby’s energy needs as well. Here are some methods to avoid fatigue during pregnancy and make pregnancy more bearable.
- Get the right amount of nutrition. When you’re pregnant, your calorie needs increases to support the changes in your body as well as your child’s needs. Because of this, if you don’t get enough nutrition, fatigue sets in. Count the number of calories you normally eat and add an extra 200 calories especially during the last three months of your pregnancy. Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day to make sure your baby doesn’t go hungry. Refrain from skipping meals and don’t diet unless your doctor prescribes it.
- Eat healthy food. To get the most of your food, eat a balanced diet consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Stay away from processed food and junk food because these have harmful chemicals in them. Avoid eating too much barbecued and burnt food because studies have shown that these cause cancers.
- Take your supplements. There are important vitamins and minerals that are needed during pregnancy for the maintenance of the mother’s health and the proper growth and development of the baby. These are iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and essential fatty acids. If you don’t get enough of these from your food, you must take them in the form of supplements. During your check-ups, your doctor gives you a list of supplements to take. Be sure to take these properly so that your body absorbs it better
- Get exercise. Do mild exercises thrice a week to keep your body strong and fit. Exercise helps prepare your body for labor and delivery as well.
- Stay away from vices. These are cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs, which cause harm to your health and interfere with your baby’s development. These substances deplete your body’s energy and cause fatigue during pregnancy.
- Get plenty of rest. Because of the nutritional demands and the weight of the baby, you feel fatigue whenever you are pregnant. To get your strength back, take a rest every now and then. Listen to what your body is saying. Don’t strain yourself too much. Relax and let your body recuperate to support your health and the baby’s health.
- Stay in a pleasant environment. Avoid places where there is too much pollution and stress-inducing situations. Instead, go to a place with clean air, healthy food and nice surroundings. You need energy during pregnancy; conserve it by avoiding things and people that drain your strength.
- Get a check-up. Going to check-ups during pregnancy is important to make sure you and your baby are ok. During check-ups, your doctor examines the development of your baby and your health. Sicknesses and unusual conditions may be a cause of your fatigue and the doctor provides remedies for them.
- Get support. Simplify and delegate hard tasks. If you find yourself in a challenging situation, surround yourself with supportive people. Pregnancy is a challenge in itself; don’t stress yourself and seek help from others to make things easier for you.
Pregnancy is a delicate condition, so make health be your top priority. Know as much as possible about how to stay healthy during pregnancy to make sure everything turns out fine. Listen to your body so that you notice if there are things that need to be done to lessen your fatigue.
