Fatigue during pregnancy

Fatigue during pregnancy: Why it occurs and how to live with it

The feeling that you have just run a marathon, even though you only climbed a flight of stairs, is familiar to almost every pregnant woman. Severe fatigue and drowsiness are among the most common symptoms, especially in the first and third trimesters. This is not a sign of weakness or laziness, but a powerful signal from your body that it is performing a titanic, albeit invisible, job.

Causes of fatigue: Major remodeling

In the first trimester fatigue is mainly hormonal and physiological:

• Placenta formation: During the first 13 weeks your body creates an entirely new organ — the placenta, which will nourish and protect your baby. This process requires a colossal amount of energy.
• Progesterone: Levels of this hormone rise rapidly. Progesterone acts as a natural sedative, causing drowsiness and relaxation.
• Increased blood volume: Your heart starts working harder to pump the larger blood volume needed for the little one.

In the third trimester the reasons for fatigue become more physical: weight gain, strain on the back and legs, poor sleep quality due to the large belly and frequent trips to the bathroom. You can read more about all these physical changes in our article.

Fatigue as a symptom: When it’s more than just tiredness?

Although fatigue is normal, sometimes it can signal other conditions. For example, severe weakness that does not improve even after rest may be a sign of iron‑deficiency anemia. That’s why it’s important to have regular blood tests. Also, extreme fatigue and apathy can be symptoms of depression, so it’s important to take care of your emotional wellbeing.