sooooo wiped out - why?

[Astraia]

I am completely, 100% drained these days.

I'm 35+ weeks and the last month or so I've been feeling just totally wrung out. I thought it was anemia, since I tend that way anyway, and added some extra iron to my diet and added a supplement- no change. I'm not sleeping well but I don't feel sleepy (and if I try to take a nap I can't sleep) I just feel like I have nothing left to give. I walk up the stairs and I'm breathing hard and my heart is pounding and I need to sit down- heck, I walk into the kitchen and I need to sit down!

I'm trying to eat a balanced diet (although the last 2-3 weeks have involved WAY more sugar than I'd like, silly Christmas!) and rest as much as possible but this is ridiculous.

Anything I can try? Diet changes that might help?

[Altair]

Floradix was the only iron my body could absorb, and that gave me *some energy* but for the most part-- this part of pregnancy is REALLY taxing on your body and you just need to listen to it and slow down.

By 34 weeks pregnant I was laying down at my job all day (not easy as a Kindergarten teacher-- ha! -- thank god I had a wonderful co-teacher) and by 37 weeks I had to go out on leave. I didn't deliver until 42 weeks and those 5 weeks of rest were absolutely amazing. I live on the 3rd floor and could rarely go outside towards the end, and I didn't mind one bit. I kept telling my midwife "screw those people who say walk at the end, no way!"

SLOW DOWN and rest! Your body is growing an entire human and it's one of the most draining things the human body is capable of! Go get a pre-natal massage from someone certified in that, get a pedicure, and watch some Netflix.

[Astraia]

Floradix is what I'm taking- I've had really good results with it in the past, as the only one that really gave me a boost without stopping me up. I've seen a minor energy lift but it's really really minor.

I don't know if I'm glad that you've gone through the same thing so I'm not alone or really depressed that this is normal. I've got a 1 yr old daughter so there's only so much resting I can do, but there are times where going upstairs to put her down for a nap or whatever is just so completely awful that I'm almost ready to sit at the bottom of the steps and cry instead.

Well, time to make DH step up I guess! (har har... this should be interesting)

[norajune'smama]

everything you're describing sounds like what i felt when i was VERY anemic. if you're really deficient, floradix isn't enough. i would recommend getting checked out for it. my naturopath says that floradix is great for maintenance but not for building back up. you might need a much stronger supplement.

[berrymama]

I have this too and don't remember it from my last pregnancy. My iron is fine, though I did start taking Floradix too.
I feel fine when I get up, eat breakfast, and then about 1.5 hrs after getting up, BAM!, I feel like I can't hold myself up any longer, heart racing etc. My midwife thinks it may have something to do with needing some protein/energy, but with the slowed digestion during late pregnancy it takes a while for breakfast to digest and actually help the exhaustion. It is very, very frustrating! Good thing I work 3-11 pm because I am usually better by the afternoon.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by norajune'smama

everything you're describing sounds like what i felt when i was VERY anemic. if you're really deficient, floradix isn't enough. i would recommend getting checked out for it. my naturopath says that floradix is great for maintenance but not for building back up. you might need a much stronger supplement.

I'll mention it at my next appointment (I haven't gotten in for awhile, what with holidays etc) and see if we can test it.

Originally Posted by berrymama

I have this too and don't remember it from my last pregnancy. My iron is fine, though I did start taking Floradix too.
I feel fine when I get up, eat breakfast, and then about 1.5 hrs after getting up, BAM!, I feel like I can't hold myself up any longer, heart racing etc. My midwife thinks it may have something to do with needing some protein/energy

Well, my protein intake is pretty sucky... That could be part of it.

I feel sleepy and groggy when I first get up, then I'm alright until about 10-11 am and then I start crashing and it just gets steadily worse as the day progresses. I can't imagine working 3-11, it'd be a nightmare! Hopefully you have a sit-down sorta job (not like, say, waitress).

[Altair]

Ohhhh if your protein intake is sucky that's a BIG part! Growing a baby takes a lot of protein! I made myself eat protein at every meal and snack. Apples and peanut butter. Peppers and cucumbers dipped in hummus. String cheese. Yogurt berries and granola. Lots of almonds and almond butter.

[jillmamma]

from January DDC!

I am at about the same stage as you are and I feel the same! I think part of it is having kiddos already out of the womb to look after as well as the one in the womb. All that takes a lot of energy out of us! Plus the fact that we get up to pee a couple or more times a night means not getting a full night's sleep either. I know that both last time and this time my kids are watching more DVD's at this point than usual (tougher with a one year old...I know they are busy!). And housework...well...I am doing what I HAVE to to get by, but are all the shelves dusted and everything perfect? NO WAY! Hang in there; only 3 days till the month of our due dates!

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by Altair

Ohhhh if your protein intake is sucky that's a BIG part! Growing a baby takes a lot of protein! I made myself eat protein at every meal and snack. Apples and peanut butter. Peppers and cucumbers dipped in hummus. String cheese. Yogurt berries and granola. Lots of almonds and almond butter.

Mmm... all that sounds so delicious. I think my body must be asking for protein because in general food sounds so boring but I want to eat all of that at ONCE!

So I had a big bowl of yogurt with berries and granola, followed up by a chicken quesadilla with tons of cheese I'll start doing what you're doing and see if I feel even a little bit better.

Originally Posted by jillmamma

from January DDC!

I am at about the same stage as you are and I feel the same! ..{snipped}.. And housework...well...I am doing what I HAVE to to get by, but are all the shelves dusted and everything perfect? NO WAY! Hang in there; only 3 days till the month of our due dates!

I figured there had to be another Jan mom feeling about the same way as I do. And you're right, kids out of the womb make a big difference. My daughter is so busy and clingy at the same time, it's a bit insane.

And my house.... oy. My husband is offering to help clean up tonight, so it must be pretty bad!

I think this exhaustion will be the main reason why I want this new kid to come OUT, since I otherwise feel great. I feel like such a horrible person.

[smokeylo]

Another Jan mama with you on the extreme exhaustion!! I think we're pooped because we're growing babies. I think we're supposed to hate this part so we're ready to give birth. I just wish it started a wee bit later so the next 2-4 weeks didn't seem like they'd last FOR.EV.ER.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by smokeylo

Another Jan mama with you on the extreme exhaustion!! I think we're pooped because we're growing babies. I think we're supposed to hate this part so we're ready to give birth. I just wish it started a wee bit later so the next 2-4 weeks didn't seem like they'd last FOR.EV.ER.

I just keep thinking- another possibly 6 weeks (or more, but I'm trying not to think about going past 42w!!!) of this?!? How will I survive? Nevermind surviving with a 14 month old and a newborn, that's gonna seem EASY after this.

[mamakims]

And yet another January momma feeling the same way. I have never been this tired with my other pregnancies but then again I also didn't have a toddler to take care of and entertain. Plus I'm also semi-breastfeeding my ds so I know that's draining on me.
My last two pregnancies, i napped when I wanted and got ALOT of couch time in. I just feel stretched beyond my limits as far as my energy is concerned. And Christmas seemed to burn me out with all the running around and hosting both brunch and dinner at our place.
I had a pic of me taken just before hitting 37 weeks on CHristmas Day and I even look tired, I have dark circles under my eyes and I just look unwell. :S

[Astraia]

Mamakims- sounds a LOT like me!

I kept thinking this CAN'T be normal because I didn't feel like this with my daughter... but I got laid off work at 7 mo preg and couldn't get another job so I just laid around, napped whenever I felt like it, etc so of course having a toddler and needing to clean and make meals is going to keep me a lot busier! I didn't even think about that. And my daughter is still nursing, and I'm sure that's contributing as well.

I found Christmas to be really draining. I had some family visiting, I was dog-sitting my in-laws new puppy (not house trained), DH was brutally sick and the baby wasn't sleeping at night at ALL and then we lost power for more than 24 hours which made the house miserably cold and there was nothing to eat. I looked at myself in the mirror 2 days after Christmas when everyone was getting ready to go, and I looked absolutely awful - big dark circles under my eyes, really pale and dragged out looking. Then I had a good cry and took a 2 hour nap.