Exhaustion in the first trimester

Early pregnancy hormones can make you sleepy and alter mood, digestion and sleep. Nausea or vomiting may reduce food and fluid intake, while the body adapts to changes in blood flow. Anaemia can also present with fatigue, so tiredness should not be dismissed if it comes with dizziness, paleness, breathlessness or a pounding heartbeat. Other illness may be responsible when fatigue is accompanied by fever, pain or a clear change from your usual pattern.

Plan demanding tasks for the time of day when you have most energy, and take short rests between activities. Try small, frequent meals and regular sips of fluid if nausea is troublesome. Keep the bedroom cool and dark, reduce late caffeine, and ask someone else to handle non-essential chores. Keep taking only pregnancy supplements recommended for you; avoid self-treating with iron or stimulants without advice.

Seek urgent care for fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, heavy bleeding or severe abdominal pain. Contact your maternity service if vomiting prevents fluids staying down, urine becomes very infrequent, or exhaustion makes washing, eating or walking difficult. Fever, new severe headache or one-sided weakness also needs prompt assessment.

Tell your clinician how many hours you sleep, whether nausea limits eating or drinking, and whether you have dizziness, paleness, breathlessness or bleeding. Ask whether you need blood tests, how to manage vomiting, and which medicines or supplements are suitable in early pregnancy.