how did you cope? Advice from those done 1st tri

Robeano · June 2012

I am so tired, all the time. I really want to help my DH with dishes, and housework, and renos. But I am so exhausted and don't want to get off the couch.

Is there anything you can do to help yourself have more energy? Or should I just come to terms with being a couch potato until after 1st tri?

And do you get more energy later? Please be honest, I just want a clear expectation so I can pace myself out for the next while lol.

limpetfan · June 2012

There was a lot that I had to let go during first tri, because I couldn't get my energy up for anything. I've read that walking when you feel tired helps (it didn't really help me, though). It definitely got better in second tri! For me, it wasn't like as soon as I hit second tri things were magically better and I had more energy, but I'd say by week 17 I felt much more like my usual self. Now I'm trying to get everything done that I possibly can, because I know third tri usually brings back the exhaustion!

Hope you feel better soon!

TJ1979 · June 2012

Honestly, I was just exhausted and was a couch potato for most of 1st tri. Then MH left the country and I didn't have much choice but to be responsible for everything that had to be done. So I did what I could, and didn't worry about the rest. I took a nap almost every day when I got home from work, only about 30 minutes or so, then did what I could do. Working out just didn't happen in 1st tri, but that wasn't too bad since I couldn't eat anyways and lost weight in 1st tri. It will most likely get better. 2nd tri I mostly felt normal (well, to be fair, I started feeling good around 16 weeks.) I felt like a normal person from 16 weeks to about 32 weeks, and now the last few weeks have gotten really hard again. Just take it one day at a time, and rest when you can. YH seems like a great guy, and I'm sure he doesn't mind taking care of you for a little while. Just remember to cut him some slack too since he's picking up more duties around the house. If he doesn't do a good job at doing the dishes or doesn't do them in a timely manner, don't worry about it. Some stuff is just going to have to slack during 1st tri. GL - I hope you get your energy back soon.

MrsNap_515 · June 2012

i just had to suck it up and push through lol my DH works his butt off, lots of late hours and overtime, so i never had anyone home to help, i just had to make myself, i found i had more energy right when i'd get home, so i'd keep going, because once i sat down, i was done LOL

2nd tri was much better, but 3rd, forget it, i was useless, and on bed rest for most of my 3rd tri.

BBN2012 · June 2012

If there's one thing I've learned from these boards, it's that everyone's body is different. It's been helpful to me to see the variety of answers on any given question and to know that one person's experience might not exactly align with mine. With that said, I was more exhausted than I've ever been weeks 6- 11 or so and then I had bronchitus so I was really down for the count. I've been feeling more energetic since about week 13, but sometimes can't get back to sleep after going to the bathroom at night, so mornings are very hard. GL!

lunatwo · June 2012

It really does get better in the 2nd tri. Make sure you enjoy it because the 3rd tri has kicked my ass.

pb_bride · June 2012

YES, it most definitely gets better in the 2nd tri. I feel like my old self, not tired, no weird food cravings, and simply feel great (except for the fact that I have to pee all the time)!

I exercised throughout 1st tri (and still exercising right now), but the exercise in 1st tri didn't give me more energy. I pretty much took a nap every afternoon for an hour or so (it helps that I'm a SAHW). Honestly, I had no say in that matter because I simply could not keep my eyes open after lunch! I simply had to accept the fact that there is A TON of growing in my belly (all the organs are formed in 1st tri) which is what makes me so tired. On top of that, I had terrible insomnia throughout much of 1st tri, so I wasn't getting enough sleep to start with.

Hang in there... you'll feel better soon!

hunterjumper102 · June 2012

I also gave up on trying to help out alot at home during 1st Tri. In addition to being exhausted I felt horrible with m/s. Honestly it didn't bother me asking DH for help. Growing a baby is hard work especially in the beginning and so it only seemed right for DH to help out a little around the house. I did what I could little by little throughout the day but it wasn't nearly as much as I normally did.

I have gotten some of my energy back in 2nd Tri to where I don't take naps every day but it is still not what it was pre-pregnancy. Don't be afraid to ask for help sweetie!

BeccaLandes · June 2012

i was really useless 1st tri. it started to get better around 10 weeks- earlier than a lot of people, i know.

now i have a lot more energy, but it's better in the beginning of the day. by the time my boys are in bed (7:30 or so) the only thing i want to do is sit on the couch.

Robeano · June 2012

Thank you ladies for all your wonderful advice. I'm encouraged that I will be myself again one day. I also talked to DH and he did some of his own research on his own and he is totally okay with picking up slack

mizzougal08 · June 2012

It does get better, but the best thing right now is truly just to rest. If it makes you feel any better, I was finishing up the end of the school year during my 1st tri and fell asleep on my plan hour on numerous occasions....oops! When I got home I was just a blob in bed or on the couch. It's really great that your DH is there to pick up the slack. I think many guys go into protective mode during pregnancy and kind of like that you rely on them a little more...makes them feel good

At least that's been the case with my hubs. Take it easy girl. The energy will come back. Don't kill yourself trying to do much now. Listen to your body. GL!

byrne15 · June 2012

It was tough because DH and I work opposite shifts and we have a ds (4 years old). Ds doesn't take naps anymore, but I was so tired. I basically would come home from work and rest on the couch while ds watched a movie or played games for a little while.

I must say though, it does get better. I don't remember when exactly, but I have had much more energy for a while now.

Want a personalized experience?

how did you cope? Advice from those done 1st tri

Re: how did you cope? Advice from those done 1st tri

Choose Another Board

Search Boards