Fatigue at week six of pregnancy

Around this stage, rising pregnancy hormones can make you feel sleepy, weak, or less able to concentrate. Nausea, vomiting, a changing appetite, emotional stress, and waking during the night can amplify the effect. Fatigue can vary widely, and its intensity does not measure how the pregnancy is progressing.

Anaemia, dehydration, infection, or another health issue can also cause marked tiredness. Tell your doctor or maternity team if you have dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, a racing heart, very dark urine, fever, or difficulty keeping food and fluids down.

Keep simple snacks nearby and eat little and often if nausea makes full meals difficult. Sip fluids regularly, rest without guilt, and ask someone else to handle strenuous chores. A calm bedtime routine, daylight exposure, and gentle movement may support sleep and alertness when you feel able.

Take folic acid and other pregnancy supplements exactly as advised. Avoid alcohol and check every medicine, herbal product, or supplement with a pharmacist or pregnancy clinician before using it.

Seek urgent care for fainting that does not quickly settle, severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician promptly for worsening weakness, fever, painful urination, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and dizziness.

Is my level of tiredness consistent with early pregnancy, or should I be checked for anaemia or dehydration? What can I use for nausea? Which symptoms should lead me to contact the maternity service urgently?