What should you know about severe exhaustion in pregnancy?

Pregnancy increases the body's demands and can change sleep, appetite, mood, and circulation. Exhaustion can also accompany Anaemia, Dehydration, infection, thyroid problems, low mood, or another condition. COVID-19 may cause fatigue alongside fever, cough, or other symptoms. Symptoms such as marked thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, breathlessness at rest, palpitations, or inability to manage basic activities provide useful detail for assessment. The symptom alone cannot identify one cause.

Rest when possible, eat regular nourishing meals, drink fluids, and accept practical help with demanding tasks. Rise slowly if you feel light-headed and keep a note of sleep, food and fluid intake, mood, associated symptoms, and how the exhaustion affects daily life. Do not take iron, herbal products, or other supplements solely because you feel tired; ask your maternity team about appropriate tests and doses. Keep routine antenatal appointments even when tiredness feels like an expected part of pregnancy.

Seek urgent help for fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, heavy bleeding, severe headache with vision changes, one-sided weakness, inability to keep fluids down, or a noticeable reduction in your baby's movements later in pregnancy. Contact your maternity team promptly if exhaustion is sudden, worsening, accompanied by fever or palpitations, or stops you eating, drinking, working, or caring for yourself.

Could I need blood tests for anaemia or another cause? Am I drinking and eating enough? Which medicines or supplements are safe? Which symptoms require immediate maternity advice?