Extreme tiredness in the second trimester: what to know

Pregnancy increases the body’s demands and can disturb sleep through discomfort, stress, or frequent urination. Low iron, thyroid problems, infection, low mood, dehydration, and an unbalanced diet can also contribute. Fatigue by itself does not point to leukaemia, lymphoma, bowel cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, or myelodysplastic syndromes. A clinician can weigh the symptom with examination and routine pregnancy care.

Tell your maternity team how long the fatigue has lasted and whether it limits walking, work, eating, or daily care. Keep regular meals and fluids, include iron-containing foods, and rest in short planned periods. Do not start iron, herbal products, or energy supplements without checking that they are appropriate in pregnancy. Ask whether your blood count and other checks are due.

Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your maternity team promptly if fatigue is rapidly worsening or comes with fever, palpitations, marked dizziness, unusual bruising, persistent vomiting, or reduced ability to function. These features can signal anaemia, infection, dehydration, or another problem needing treatment.

Could anaemia, thyroid disease, infection, sleep disruption, or mood be contributing? Is a blood count or iron assessment needed? Which activity and rest pattern is suitable for me? Which symptoms should prompt same-day maternity advice?