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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Are the Causes of Extreme Fatigue During Pregnancy?

Extreme fatigue in pregnancy is often due to the body’s many changes—like rising hormone levels, increased energy needs, and sometimes sleep problems or anemia.

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Explanation

During pregnancy, especially early on, many people feel very tired. This increased fatigue is partly because your body is changing quickly. Your hormones rise to help your baby grow, and these hormones can make you feel worn out. Your body is also working harder than usual, which uses more energy. Many pregnant people notice that they need more sleep, but sometimes it is hard to get enough rest due to frequent trips to the bathroom or uncomfortable sleeping positions. If your body isn’t getting enough iron, you might develop a condition called anemia that adds to the tiredness. Other factors like stress and the extra work your body does can also make you feel very fatigued. It is important to listen to your body during this time. Taking short naps, eating a balanced diet with iron-rich foods, and talking with your doctor if the fatigue feels overwhelming can help manage these feelings so you can care for yourself and your growing baby.

(References)

  • Poole CJ. Fatigue during the first trimester of pregnancy. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1986 Sep-Oct;15(5):375-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.1986.tb01409.x. PMID: 3639925.

  • Mortazavi F, Borzoee F. Fatigue in Pregnancy: The validity and reliability of the Farsi Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Feb;19(1):e44-e50. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.01.009. Epub 2019 May 30. PMID: 31198595; PMCID: PMC6544060.

  • Effati-Daryani F, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mohammadi A, Zarei S, Mirghafourvand M. Fatigue and sleep quality in different trimesters of pregnancy. Sleep Sci. 2021 Jan-Mar;14(Spec 1):69-74. doi: 10.5935/1984-0063.20200091. PMID: 34917276; PMCID: PMC8663733.

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