How tired is "normal" ?

absolutelymaybe

I'm really feeling like a failure right now. I see all these pregnant women (and friends who have recently given birth) and they seemed so active throughout their pregnancy. They were always out and about and social and never complained. 

Me? I'm 8 weeks 2 days and I am so tired I fear I might actually fall asleep while typing this. It seems no matter how much I sleep at night, I'm walking around like a zombie. I can barely focus at work and, when I get home from work, all I can do is climb into bed -- which I feel horrible because I've been leaving DH to fend for himself for dinner. I still haven't planted my garden. I've been neglecting housework to the point where it's just starting to get overwhelming. I dread having to go out and do anything social. Really, I just want to be at home in bed like all the time. 

 I know I have twins, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is beyond the "normal" level of tired for pregnancy. I'm wondering if there's something else wrong -- could I be deficient in some nutrients? I have no idea. Any thoughts? Experiences? Ideas?

Allison7

Sorry to say, but it is totally normal. There were days in the first tri where I just stared blankly at my computer screen for several minutes - totes zoned out. If I would have put my head down on my desk I would have been asleep. I lucked out with minimal morning sickness, but the exhaustion was crazy! Even now that I am in the second tri I am still tired. People keep talking about the energy surge, but I missed that...my energy surge was not feeling like I could sleep standing up.

Just keep reminding yourself that is takes a lot of energy to grow babies. There is a reason why you are tired. Some days will be better than others. And I can totally tell when my LO is having a growth spurt just based on my exhaustion.

sunflowermama42212

Please sleep as much as you can. I miss the first trimester because I slept ALL the TIME! It wasn't just sleeping but It was quality sleeping. I now have the third trimester insomnia and with a baby coming in 5 weeks my sleep is numbered. Please sleep with no guilt! enjoy it!

Lizarella82

@Allison7, I thought it was just me! I really feel like my energy level plummets in those weeks when growth is supposedly surging.

OP, from everything I've read and experienced it is totally normal, especially for where you are in your pregnancy. Can you hire someone to clean the house? Try not to worry about your DH, he was able to feed himself before you two met, he can do so again for a little while.

I was at the point where I would almost nod off at stoplights from weeks 6-12. My fatigue did get better right about 13 weeks- here's hoping you get that second tri energy boost.

marnief

Agreed with all of the above PP - I was *so* tired in first tri, and I've only got a singleton!  And I haven't really gotten that energy surge in 2nd tri.  One thing to check on, though, is your iron levels.  At your next app't, you might ask for bloodwork to see if your doc recommends you start taking iron supplements (take them with a vitamin C chewable or a piece of citrus fruit, to help with absorption).  Also, be sure that you are eating the right kinds of foods - protein, complex carbs, etc.  Too many simple carbs can cause you to crash, but protein and complex carbs (think apple + peanut butter, or whole wheat pita with hummus) gives you more lasting energy.  But overall, yes, first tri is exhausting.  Hang in there!

FutureMrsW9

I don't have any experience-based advice as I never experienced the fatigue, but I just wanted to say feel better.  Also, my OB said that the no-caffeine thing is a total myth and it's perfectly safe to have some if you really need or want it.  Maybe some coffee, or even a Coke, will help.  Also, I know it's probably the last thing you want to do, but try going for a walk.  Exercise always wakes your body up a little bit.

DoublePortion

I agree that exhaustion in 1st tri is totally normal. I spent 3 weeks doing nothing other than napping and laying in front of the tv because I had zero energy. I cried a few times because I felt so guilty for doing nothing. DH would just laugh at me. I don't know how I would've coped if I had a job!! My heart goes out to you! Hang in there because you'll start feeling better.

MJC1116

The exhaustion was the worst, IMO. I could barely function and found it extremely difficult to work, manage the house and take care of DD. I literally would come home from work, collapse on the couch and let DD watch TV so I could sleep until DH would get home. I never saw a surge in energy in the 2nd trimester this pregnancy but did the first time. I've been feeling exhausted again for the past 2 weeks and even fell asleep mid conversation with DH once!
I wish I had advice. The only thing I'd say is be sure to keep yourself hydrated, and sleep or at least rest whenever you can. Eat protein rich foods to help with energy. Talk to your doctor, too. They tested me for anemia because of my exhaustion (it ended up being negative). It's a lot of work growing a little person...even more for 2! Good luck and feel better!

absolutelymaybe

Thank you all for your comments. It really helps knowing I'm not just a total wuss when it comes to this pregnancy thing. 

When I get released to my OB (which I hope will be this week), I'm going to discuss the iron thing with him. I have been borderline anemic in the past, so that wouldn't be totally surprising. 

Deardra77

Sounds totally normal. When I stopped the IVF drugs I saw a marked improvement due to the drop in hormones. Helped with the nausea too.

missvolvo

Just wanted to chime in that it sounds totally normal to me too!  I am 9 weeks pregnant with twins and I have just started being able to stay up past 8pm!    

Jeffreysmom24

yep, I agree with everyone else - sounds totally normal! Some days I wake up and already feel so tired just thinking about the day ahead! And there have been many days where I have locked my office door and rested on the floor for a little while because I just cannot take it. Hang in there and rest as much as you can!!

indianaalum

I am totally with you!! I come home every day and take a nap...I work in a high stress job, and I find myself more irritable because I can only muster the "bare minimum" right now, too! LOL

healz413

I'm surprised @Manada hasn't posted on this thread. It's probably because she's too tired. This has been our life (well her life with me observing and trying to support her) for the last 7 or 8 weeks. She even posted on the multiples board about it today.

sarah_beth2005

1st tri was exhausting - several times a week I left work early just to go home and nap!  Even then, I still had trouble staying awake past 8 or 9pm each night.  I missed out on any energy surge in 2nd tri - I spent weeks 14-20 constantly sick with something or other, so I was pretty miserable.  Now that I'm in 3rd tri, I'm even more exhausted than I was in 1st tri!

BankerBSN

I am a proud daily napper over here.  It is totally normal.  I am looking forward to the energy in 2nd tri.

Siona1976

Just wanted to echo PP comments. The extreme tiredness hit me at week 7 and hasn't left yet. I wish I could get daily naps, at most I get one week day nap and take tons of naps on the weekend. Actually, we've just stopped doing things on the weekend because I want to sleep for 72 hrs straight. Without naps, during the work week, I crash around 9 pm. It is horrible because I'm constantly bringing work home because I'm a day late and dollar short every.single.day. Obviously, it doesn't get done. I'm really hoping that the 2nd tri energy boost happens!

frenchy6

Great topic! I'm just approaching my 7th week and am super exhausted allll the time. Last Saturday was spent in my bed literally sleeping all day! DH laughs at me because when he calls to check up on me during the work day my response is always, "I'm tired". I just listen to my body and sleep!

anations

Yes and yes! So tired the first tri. Felt useless! Got a little back in second tri and that is go time Bc when third tri hits, everything is difficult and you are even more out of breath. Hang in there!

bayareagirl2011

Glad to see here that I'm not alone. I'm normally someone who cannot sit still. I love to be up and being productive (cleaning, cooking, baking, etc). These days I can barely muster to make a simple dinner. I normally get antsy and feel crappy if I spend the entire evening on the couch and it's all I'm doing these days. Normally I read on my daily commute and I've been resting my eyes in the morning and I completely pass out on the way back. I'm 7 weeks and this started right at 5.5 or so. Glad to see that some of it comes back in the 2nd tri... 

lmlee15

I normally can't sleep... and I still have some insomnia but I'm exhausted and have definitely been sleeping a considerable amount more... I don't think I've ever napped this much as an adult. It reminds me a lot of when I had mono in high school and just wanted to sleep.  Take advantage of getting as much rest as you can because like PP have said 3rd tri and of course when baby comes you won't be able to get as much!

absolutelymaybe

Oh my gosh! Yes! The comment about having mono... I had mono when I was 13 and it feels just like that. 

katekat8721

First tri exhaustion is no joke. I used to have to take an hour nap every afternoon just to get by. The tiredness lasted till probably about 17 weeks or so for me. Then all of a sudden I started feeling good! My m/s started calming down, I didn't need to rest so much and I got a little bit of energy.

If I can give you any advice it would be to do anything important and time consuming you have to do during that little bit of energy!

Once third tri hits (and it'll seem to hit you earlier with twins!) then you're back to being tired because you can't sleep at night and uncomfortable because you can't move freely with babies in there