Fatigue

Energy levels in the second trimester are high and technically this is the best trimester. We however do advise moms to listen to their body. They are doing a huge job of making the baby and if the body is asking them to rest then they should just drop everything and rest.

Most moms will be able to complete the daily routine at this time without any difficulty. If a mom is feeling fatigued then she should investigate her haemoglobin levels. There could be low iron levels that contribute to the feeling of tiredness and fatigue.

There are few things that you could look into and inspect in order to check if its normal fatigue or if its related to some deficiencies in the body during pregnancy

Low iron

Low iron is a characteristic of the second trimester and if the supplements have not been started or if the mom is skipping them she may feel exceptionally fatigued.

Blood pressure fluctuations

Fatigue may also be caused by fluctuating blood pressure levels. It’s advisable to check your levels with your doctor from time to time.

Thyroid evaluation

Finally investigating the thyroid function is also a good idea if all other reasons have been evaluated.

Eating healthy

Ensure that you are healthy balanced diet. Sometime if the mum does not receive enough nutrients this could also lead to low energy levels. Planning your meals means first understanding the different food groups. The base of every diet is the carbohydrates. These include your rotis, rice, breads, pastas and in general all cereals. These provide the fibres and also the nourishment to build every part of your baby. Ensure that you have minimum six or maximum eleven servings per day from this group. Equally important are your fruits and vegetables. They provide vitamins and minerals which help to support a healthy pregnancy. Ofcourse they are also low in calories and hence can be eaten in plenty. Ensure that you have a minimum of five servings from the fruits and vegetables category. The proteins are called the building blocks of cells and it is important to consume 2 to 3 servings of protein per day. Proteins help the baby to grow and also help optimum brain development. Calcium forms the baby’s skeletal system and the teeth and hence 3 servings of milk or milk products is ideal. Fats, oils and sweets should be kept to a minimum. A maximum of two tablespoons of oil/butter/malai/ghee should be consumed and frying of food should be completely avoided. If you have a sweet tooth try and find healthy alternatives or have a small portion. Restrict your intake of tea, coffee and other cola drinks as these interfere with iron absorption. Along with a healthy diet it is also important to not ignore your supplements which have been prescribed by the doctor. Remember to take them regularly without fail.

Exercising

Exercising and walking increases the intake of oxygen supply to your body, keeps you healthy and active and can help reduce the feeling of fatigue and tiredness. Sign up to a good prenatal exercise session and map out a schedule for a time to exercise with the experts taking care of your safety and customising your exercise plan for you as per your body’s needs and requirements (Contact Awww for more info)