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Questions and Answer

Q. I have a few concerns with fatigue. I'm only two months pregnant and yet I can't seem to make it through a workday. I've been taking a prenatal and extra calcium, and have been eating more carbohydrates and protein to help combat this to no avail. is this normal. I know there should be a certain amount of fatigue associated with pregnancy, but needing a nap after 6 hours of being awake is a little much!

Does this have anything to do with multiple births? (I've already gained 7lbs at 8weeks - all being in my abdomen.)

Thank you for your time.

A. Dear Kelly,

I really feel for you. Yes, being tired in early pregnancy is very common. It usually goes away after the first trimester and then returns again during the last weeks of pregnancy. Some think its Mother Nature's way of slowing us down and encouraging us to take time to notice what is happening and to, as they say, 'stop and smell the roses.' Sounds like you are sensitive to the changes happening within you. It's hard to celebrate those changes in a work environment which does not support the miracle of pregnancy, where it is seen as more of a nuisance than anything else. My suggestions, put your feet up under your desk if possible, if you can eat before and after lunch and snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon, then that would be great. Then, at lunch time, take a nap!

If that is not possible, then perhaps a 'power nap' of five minutes right after lunch can get you through the rest of the afternoon. All I can reassure you of is the normalcy of the situation - hope this helps - and if it is multiples, well, then double the congratulations!

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.