Fatigue in pregnancy: when to worry?
- · How to combat fatigue in pregnancy?
- · The recommended diet against fatigue in pregnancy
- · Vertigo during pregnancy
- · The discomforts of pregnant women
How to combat fatigue in pregnancy?
In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is normal to feel tired and exhausted and sleep often pops up for an afternoon nap even if it was not your habit. Getting sleepy very early in the evening is also completely normal when you are pregnant - your body is adjusting to pregnancy. The important thing is not to be discouraged also because this is a condition that resolves itself in a short time.
Try to rest as much as possible, having your partner, family or friends help you with household chores and shopping.
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If the fatigue seems extreme and shows no signs of abating, it is best to see your doctor for a check-up and make sure everything is fine. If you are expecting twins or have had close pregnancies, it is important to check that you are not suffering from a lack of red blood cells (anemia).
In the case of anemia, treatment is based on dietary advice and the prescription of iron, if necessary. It is important to know that these products lead to black and more frequent stools than usual, do not worry.
Iron is mainly found in red meat, but if you are a vegetarian, or simply not a meat lover, there are other alternatives: you can also find iron in spices, such as cumin, sunflower seeds, olives and legumes. .
The recommended diet against fatigue in pregnancy
An adequate supply of iron during pregnancy is essential for a woman's health and for the proper development of the fetus. In pregnant women, iron deficiency can lead to fatigue and infections. Iron requirements during pregnancy are estimated to be around 20 mg per day, and even more during the last six months.
These important needs are hardly covered by the diet and require a "regular intake of bread and green vegetables, meat, eggs and fish."
For example, 20 mg of iron are contained in a food ration consisting of 150 g of meat, combined with 2 eggs, half a liter of milk, 200 g of white bread or 100 g of wholemeal bread, 500 g of green vegetables, 400 g of fresh fruit and 3 prunes.
It should also be noted that a purely vegan diet, i.e. that excludes all animal proteins (meat, fish, including milk and eggs), is low in amino acids (lysine and tryptophan), provides only very low-yield proteins and promotes the lack of calcium and iron.
This type of diet is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are vegan, talk to your doctor so that he can give you the nutritional supplements you need to keep your pregnancy going smoothly.
Vertigo during pregnancy
Dizziness during pregnancy can be related to a drop in blood pressure.
Lie on your left side with your legs slightly raised by a pillow. If dizziness is accompanied by sweating and you are away from meals, you may be hypoglycemic.
Lie down and drink a well-sweetened drink (herbal tea or fruit juice), have a snack.
If this happens regularly, it is best to talk to your doctor.
The discomforts of pregnant women
The discomforts of pregnant women are frequent, they are more often benign, but they can still be an early sign of a serious condition that needs to be treated.
If you feel unwell or have had some discomfort, lie on your left side so that the uterus does not compress the return of blood to the inferior vena cava. blood from the legs to the heart. Don't lie on your back. Remove all the clothes that oppress you (eg belt, bra etc ...).
Malaise in the 1st trimester
The main causes of malaise during the first trimester are:
- Simple transient hypotension
If the discomfort is not accompanied by abdominal or shoulder pain or vaginal bleeding, you will soon feel better. This quick return to normal should reassure you.
- Miscarriage
If there is heavy vaginal bleeding
- An ectopic pregnancy
If you are very pale and have abdominal or shoulder pain.
If you experience widespread discomfort, bleeding and abdominal pain, it is best to visit the emergency room as soon as possible.
The malaise of the 2nd trimester
During the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, some discomfort may be due to:
- A drop in blood pressure related to standing (orthostatic hypotension), which pregnancy favors due to the accumulation of blood in the veins of the lower limbs. Lie on your left side, raising your legs, everything will quickly return to normal.
- Anemia, more often linked to iron deficiency, is common during pregnancy and is favored by close pregnancies, or dietary deficiencies. In case of anemia, paleness, rapid pulse, shortness of breath on exertion, see your doctor for an examination. of the blood and to know the importance of anemia.
- Hypoglycemia, which is quite common. Hypoglycemic discomfort occurs accompanied by sweating. It feels better after drinking a well-sweetened drink. To prevent this from happening again, eat regularly three times a day with snacks at 10am and 5pm.
Malaise during the 3rd trimester
In the 3rd and last trimester of pregnancy, some discomfort may be due to:
- The same reasons as in the 2nd quarter
- Compression by the uterus, which is very large in the last few weeks, of the vana cava and aorta
They mostly occur when lying on your back. The treatment is very simple, it consists of turning to your left side and putting your legs slightly bent. Soon the discomfort subsides and the pulse and blood pressure return to normal.
