[MommaWojo]

<p>So how do you cope with the exhaustion ? I'd love to hear all the little tricks you're developing or have developed!!</p>

 

[AnnieA]

<p>So far my trick is to take a short 20-30 minute nap in my car during my lunch break. <span><img alt="Sheepish.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/Sheepish.gif"></span></p>

 

[Gismobabe]

<p>I just nap whenever I can. With the kids watching tv for example and I go to bed at around 8 pm! It is awful!</p>

 

[apmama07]

<p>Yeah, I don't think there's much to do but rest whenever you can. I don't remember being THIS exhausted with DD, and I was working fulltime, on my feet a lot! I do remember keeping a pillow and blanket in the car and taking power naps for my lunch breaks for a while then. Now I've just had to let go of some mommy guilt and let DD have a bit more screen time than we normally would, and nap with her when she obliges. Also I've gone to bed super early with her a few times. Even with the extra sleep, there's lots of times that I just can't seem to get off the couch, or at least have to lay on the floor while she plays. </p>

 

[staryla]

<p>I feel you!  DH and I had our first date night in months last Friday.  We got home at 7:30 and I went to lay down with a hot compress on my head, 'just for a minute hon'...and I didn't wake up till 7:00 the next morning!  DH was a little perturbed to say the least.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think there is much you can do about it.  (How ironic that we aren't supposed to drink caffeine).</p>
<p>Try to let go of some of the stuff in your life and just rest.  Listen to your body.  Sleep whenever your little one lets you.</p>

 

[purple2008]

That brings up my question, is anyone struggling to give up coffee too? Last time I quit drnking it months before getting pregnant but never got around to it this time and my bfp took me a little by surprise. So I tried quitting immediately but am having such a hard time. I know they say some coffee is safe so I'm seriously reconsidering....!

 

[staryla]

<p>The number I usually hear that is safe is less than 200 mg a day (~One SMALL cup of coffee).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since one of the risks that caffeine poses is a greater chance of miscarriage I try to abstain completely during the first trimester.  After that I'll have a cup in the morning.  I still eat chocolate and will drink a rare cup of iced tea in the first trimester, but if something were to go wrong I'd like fewer reasons to blame myself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I really struggled to give up coffee with my first pregnancy.  I still craved it ALL THE TIME.  This time around I'm lucky (?) that the smell of coffee makes me want to puke.</p>

 

[mamaw/two]

<p>I haven't hit the extreme exhaustion yet, but am more tired than usual.  With 4 kids, it's nearly impossible to sleep during the day, but have been going to bed by 8-9 pm.  With #4, the exhaustion hit full on from about 12 weeks to 20 wks and I used to turn on Dora and take a 20 min nap almost every day.</p>

 

[staryla]

<p>Yikes!  Usually the fatigue lessons in the second trimester.  I hope it doesn't ambush you in the second tri this time like it did the last time!</p>

 

[awallrising]

<p>I am so exhausted, I can't take it.  Plus I just got a cold.  I am so cranky with my little guy. I need to get that under control.</p>

 

[teafairy]

<p>My new prenatal vitamins and minerals are really helping me with the exhaustion.  Also, letting go of the chores and resting when ds naps.</p>