what causes extreme fatigue and weakness in 3rd trimester pregnancy?

Is it normal to experience body aches during early pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, you have probably experienced at least a couple unpleasant pregnancy symptoms like cramps, backaches, morning sickness and breast tenderness, to name a few. These are the common symptoms that most women often complain about. But do you also experience body aches during pregnancy? If yes, rest assured you are not alone. It is quite normal to experience body aches during pregnancy, especially after you just wake up from sleep.

Though every pregnancy is different, you are likely to feel the pain around your hips, legs, inner thighs, shoulders and lower back. This happens because your bones become a bit more elastic during pregnancy. Women are usually advised against painkillers to relieve body aches during pregnancy, but this does not mean that you have to live with the aches and pains. Body ache can be elevated to some extent by getting around half an hour of exercise each day. Unless your doctor has guided you otherwise, try to walk for around 30 minutes on a daily basis. Also make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep and rest during the day. Avoid sleeping on your back; sleep on your left side instead. Increase your intake of calcium and vitamins to strengthen your bones, by adding plenty of fruits, vegetables and dairy products to your diet.

Body aches during early pregnancy are not very common and they are definitely not a symptom of pregnancy. If you are suffering from severe body pain during the initial stages of pregnancy, do let your doctor know about it.

Submitted by N on September 26, 2011 at 05:19

Pregnancy results in significant changes in a woman’s body. A huge amount of strain is exerted on the body as it prepares itself for accommodating and nourishing the developing baby. Hormonal changes begin taking place and these have considerable effects on the body. The body begins to work extra hard in order to fulfill the needs of the mother and the growing baby.

Most women experience considerable fatigue and tiredness during the first trimester of pregnancy. Hormonal changes may result in sluggishness and sleepiness. The body also expends a large amount of its energy in the development of the placenta which will provide for the baby throughout the course of the pregnancy. During the second trimester, the body will have gotten used to the changes and is better able to deal with them. In the third trimester, during the last few months of pregnancy, the baby will have grown considerably. This added weight exerts a strain on the mother’s body, who will spend a great deal of energy in meeting these extra demands. For most women, the third trimester results in discomfort and fatigue. Sleep also becomes elusive due to the additional weight and as such fatigue commonly occurs. Mood swings also frequently take place during pregnancy, exerting emotional strain.  Backaches occur during the last few months as hormones work on the pelvic bones to prepare for delivery. Shortness of breath also occurs as the uterus expands in size. The growing uterus may even alter the position of the stomach slightly, resulting in heartburn. False labor contractions also occur during this time. The legs, ankles and feet may also swell as there is increased pressure on the veins in these areas. All these symptoms result in weakness and fatigue in most women.

There are certain steps that you can take to relieve the strain on the body and alleviate fatigue. Rest is very important during pregnancy and pregnant women must allow their bodies to rest at regular intervals. It is also a good idea to allow your partner to step in and help out with household chores. Getting adequate sleep is imperative and pregnant women usually require more sleep than average. During pregnancy the body needs to fulfill yours as well as the baby’s nutritional requirements and hence eating right is vital. Avoid caffeine or sugary foods when you feel low and tired as these will aggravate the condition after providing a temporary boost. If the symptoms of weakness and fatigue are severe and continue throughout the pregnancy without subsiding, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Submitted by P T on January 14, 2010 at 08:31

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