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Being pregnant is already exhausting in itself but being pregnant and working, going to school or caring for other children at the same time is one mighty feat. And let’s be honest fatigue during pregnancy can be brutal.

I remember feeling tired when I was pregnant with my first, but with my second? Phew, it felt like a miracle if there were a few hours a day that I didn’t feel completely out of it.

If you are dealing with fatigue during pregnancy here are some tips to help you get through the day:

Drink lots of water

This can be SO hard during the first trimester if you are struggling with morning sickness, but do your best to stay hydrated. As a rule of thumb when I’m pregnant I try to drink at least half my weight in ounces per day.

Example: If you weigh 150 lbs you would need to drink at least 75 ounces of water per day.

Keeping yourself hydrated can help prevent fatigue during pregnancy and pregnancy headaches.

I carry this Contigo water bottle around with me all day to make sure that I’m staying hydrated. Every time I see it I try to take a drink.

If you are struggling with morning sickness try getting a stainless steel water bottle or tumbler and add some lemon juice and a little bit of sugar. This helped my morning sickness a ton!

Energy boosting foods

Look for iron-based foods since these can help with pregnancy fatigue. This includes leafy greens like spinach, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Your prenatal vitamin will also likely contain iron.

Try not to eat too many carb-filled foods since it can make you sleepy, instead go for proteins to keep you going. Eating healthy snacks that are rich in protein and fiber can also help you throughout the day by giving you that boost of energy.

Lessen sugar

Stay away from refined sugars since these can make your body crash and make you feel even more tired. Citrus fruits are a better option to have when you are craving something sweet.

Vitamins

Aside from eating healthy and trying to get your nutrients naturally, it can really help to take in vitamins that will help fill in all your other nutritional needs.

Talk to your doctor about your prenatal vitamins and if there is anything else they suggest you take if you are struggling with extreme fatigue during pregnancy.

Rest/naps

There’s nothing wrong with stopping every once in a while to gather your thoughts and energy. When you need to, it is important to not push yourself too hard and set some “me time”.

Naps can be a lifesaver and getting a 15-minute nap during the day can help with boosting your energy and refresh you without making you feel groggy.

If you are working try to take a quick cat nap on your lunch break. Or if you have other kids at home have them snuggle up and take a nap with you!

Independent play

Having your toddler practice independent play can benefit you in many ways. Independent play is when you designate a certain time of the day for your child to play alone without you or other members of the family.

You can choose the toys he/she will play with. This will help your child’s creativity, mental focus skills, attention span, and of course independence. For mamas, it’s a great time to take a breather especially when you have fatigue during pregnancy.

In our family, my little boy had stopped napping by the time I got pregnant with baby #2, but we had gotten him used to “quiet time.” During quiet time, he goes and plays in his toy room by himself for at least an hour a day. This time was a lifesaver when I could put my feet up and relax.

Ask for help

This may seem like a no-brainer but sometimes we forget to ask help, which is an important thing to remember especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. This could be help from friends or family to babysit or just rotating schedules with the hubby. Whatever works best for your schedule, don’t be afraid to reach out to others when you feel like you need to!

Moderate exercise

Try to go for a walk or do some mild exercises. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it can actually increase your energy levels.

Peppermint oil

Taking a few whiffs of peppermint oil can actually perk you up a bit and it is also safe and natural. This is also a great morning sickness remedy!

Planning your day

Make a to-do list and prioritize the important tasks first. In this way, you can get things done quickly and also get that extra time in for rest and relaxation.

And don’t beat yourself up if everything doesn’t get done! Remember you are growing an actual human being! That is the most important thing.

Dry brushing

This can increase blood circulation and release toxins from your body. It can invigorate your body and rejuvenate your nervous system. Try doing this once a day, first thing in the morning.

Use a brush like this aromatherapy brush and brush upwards along your body from your feet to your chest. If you don’t have a dry brush try using a dry towel for a similar effect.

When pregnant and taking care of a million other things, it is essential to remember that you can always put off some things for later if you need to get those extra hours of rest or sleep in. Yours and your baby’s health is most important!

Even the smallest changes and methods you can take to minimize your fatigue during pregnancy can go a long way in making you function properly in your daily life and make you feel better.