|
Could Fatigue be related to Depression and Weight Gain?
If your pregnancy is anything like mine were, you are
probably exhausted… all the time.
It is not at all uncommon to experience pregnancy
fatigue. It seems only natural that sustaining two lives
drains you of more energy than only dealing with your
own. Having a fetus growing in your belly most certainly
takes its toll on your body.
Pregnancy fatigue is often accompanied by a multitude
of aches, pains, and sore muscles. How you deal with
these problems will often determine your level of
pregnancy fatigue.
Pregnancy fatigue is generally caused by your body
adjusting to natural hormonal changes, and the added
weight of carrying the baby. You may also be having
trouble sleeping due to aches and pains, vivid dreams,
or simply too much stress.
As usual, raging hormones are unavoidable. But losing
sleep is a huge contributor to pregnancy fatigue.
Pregnancy fatigue is just your body's way of telling
you that it needs more rest. Then it seems reasonable to
assume that the way to start alleviating the problem is
to sleep more. Try to go to bed earlier, and get about
9-10 hours of sleep per night if you can.
If you are having trouble sleeping, try drinking a
non-caffeinated herbal tea or lighting some scented
candles. Breathing exercises can also help you to calm
your nerves for sleep.
Try taking naps during the day in addition to
sleeping more at night, and try to stay off your feet
during the day, sitting or laying down whenever
possible. Even a quick 20 or 30 minute nap can help to
alleviate pregnancy fatigue.
All of the energy that your body uses to get you
through the day comes from the food that you eat and the
nutrients you consume. Pregnancy fatigue can be
diminished by simply eating the right foods. Maintaining
a healthy, well-balanced diet is key.
Try to eat an extra 300 calories per day. Try to
fight the urge to consume endless amounts of junk food
and empty calories. If you feel the need to splurge, try
eating an apple or something else nutritious to curb
your appetite. Iron deficiency is also a leading cause
of pregnancy fatigue, so be sure to get enough.
It may seem counter-productive, but regular light
exercise will actually make you feel more energized and
help to avoid pregnancy fatigue. Try walking around your
neighborhood or mall, or going for a swim. The exercise
will leave you feeling energized and refreshed, and will
help you to sleep better at night.
Make no mistake about it, some degree of pregnancy
fatigue is unavoidable. All pregnant women will
experience it. But hopefully, armed with these tips, you
can recognize some of the causes and begin to control
your pregnancy fatigue.
| 