Working Mamas: what do you do when...

[jmhammond]

YOU ARE SO TIRED, YOU'RE GOING TO FALL ASLEEP AT YOUR DESK????

I workout almost every morning (sometimes I skip, but usually 5 times a week I make it). I know that working out gives you more energy when you're not pregnant, is the same true when you are? B/c I feel like if I skipped the w/o I would get an extra hour of sleep that might help with the afternoon fatigue.

Anyway, what do you do??? I'm skipping caffeine, so coffee or soda's not an option. Anyone?

[dctexan]

I am exhusted too. Since napping during the day is NOT a choice (gotta work!), I am going to bed a good 2 hours earlier and sleeping 30 minutes later than pre-pregnancy. This new sleep schedule pretty much means there is NO TIME for exercise. It kinda sucks, and I KNOW I am getting out of shape, but sometimes you've just got to let it go. My plan is to add 1-2 yoga classes back in over the next couple weeks. If that goes well I will start adding a jog/walk 1-2 week and take it from there. This is my first pregnancy, but from what I hear most mommas are not as tired in the 2nd trimester so I hope to get myself back in the fitness routine. I suspect labor will be much better the stronger I am, ya know? Good luck to you and please gentle with yourself.

[sanguine_speed]

I also do the more sleep at night thing (going to bed a couple hours earlier). It stinks, doesn't it?

[go4it]

I think the workout will probably give you more energy and make you feel - and be! - healthier in the long run. But boy, do I remember those long, draggy 1st-tri afternoons...

(I am on permanent "mat leave" now with dd2, 22 months)

I was lucky enough to have a kind of private office. Couldn't exactly put my head on my desk but I could do Web stuff that would divert me and keep me awake more than my actual work did. :-)))

[Funny Face]

Well, if you are tired but not nauseated I think working out for at least 30 minutes will help your energy level. I went to sleep early and got up a half hour later to go to work when I was pg with dd. I also put a full lengthy mirror in my bedroom and sat down to do my hair and makeup (if I wore any that day!) so I got a bit of 'rest' before heading off to work.
Taking a B vitamin complex can really help, it gives you energy and even helps with nausea.
Hope thinks get better, but to be honest I was exhausted for most of my pregnancy!

[wednesday]

I went to bed earlier. I also had a private office when I was pregnant so I brought in a futon and took naps at lunchtime. (My co-workers all thought it was hilarious and there were all these jokes about having a bed in my office but it was just in fun.) It really helped to be able to lie down even for just half an hour or so. And when I was back at work and totally sleep-deprived from nursing all night, it was great to be able to take lunchtime naps then too.

[runamyrun]

Not in your DDC (due in June), but saw the title and saw we have a few things in common, so thought I would post. I also work, have a 2yo, and DH is a SAHD. And I like to workout too!

I think you’ll be glad you’re keeping up the exercise, but give yourself some slack in the first tri to miss a day occasionally or cut back on the duration of your exercise. I did use my lunch break to rest in a quiet place (your car if you don’t have an office, etc?) when I was really tired for a three weeks stint or so in the first tri – or yoga was nice too. It will let up - You’ll feel less tired soon. A walk and some fresh air in the afternoon can help too.

I’m still usually asleep by 9-9:30. And DH is great, but only sometimes understands that I’m (i.e. me + the little baby inside) requiring more sleep now.