Third trimester fatigue: what should you know?

Carrying a growing baby can make movement and sleep less comfortable. Night waking, back discomfort, frequent urination, emotional strain and the extra work of pregnancy may all reduce your energy. Fatigue can also occur with anaemia, dehydration or an infection, so the pattern matters. Anaemia may be accompanied by paleness, breathlessness, dizziness or a racing heartbeat; a clinician can check with an examination and blood tests. Fatigue alone does not identify one condition.

Plan short rest periods, accept practical help and keep gentle activity within your comfort. Eat regular meals containing iron-rich foods and protein, and drink fluids throughout the day. A consistent bedtime routine, side-lying support pillows and reducing late-day caffeine may make sleep easier. Do not start iron tablets, sleep medicines or herbal products without checking that they are suitable in pregnancy. Keep a note of when the tiredness began, how it affects daily tasks and any accompanying symptoms.

Contact your maternity team promptly if exhaustion is sudden, prevents normal activities, or comes with breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, a severe headache, visual changes, fever, swelling that appears suddenly or reduced baby movements. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse or heavy bleeding. Arrange a routine review if tiredness continues despite rest, because your clinician may assess anaemia, hydration, sleep and other health concerns.

Could my symptoms fit anaemia, and do I need a blood test? Which iron-rich foods or supplements are appropriate for me? How much activity and rest should I aim for? Could my sleep, mood, blood pressure or another symptom be contributing? What changes in baby movement should prompt a call?