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Week by Week

Ask A Nurse
Questions and Answers

Q. I'm seven weeks pregnant and extremely tired all the time. What can I do to boost my energy level?

A. Your decreased energy level is very normal for early pregnancy and it is probaobly a good idea to just give in to it and get some extra rest as often as you can. Afterall, your body is undergoing some terrific changes right now and the baby is growing quickly. You will find that usually by the start of your 2nd trimester (4th thru 6th month) you will be feeling very well and have your old energy back.

In the third trimester (7th thru 9th months) you tend to feel more tired again and have some discomfort from the fullness of your uterus, the activity of the baby, or pressure in your pelvis. These things very greatly from woman to woman. Some feel good throughout the pregnancy and others are uncomfortable throughout. It helps to remember that this is a very special time in your life and it can be a wonderful thing to feel your baby growing and moving inside you. Just be patient with yourself and your changing body---your healthy child is definitely worth waiting for! You might try reading some books on pregnancy and parenting. It helps to understand as much as possible about what you're going through and to know that other women have felt the same way!

Here are some suggestions for reading and there are LOTS more available--

• The Pregnancy Book by Dr. William and Martha Sears
  
• Your Pregnancy Week-by-week by Glade Curtis,M.D.,FACOG
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Janet Whalley, Penny Simkin, & Ann Keppler

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.