Getting to the third trimester of your pregnancy can be exciting. You're so close to meeting your new baby, and all the fun and love they will bring. But excitement isn't the only thing you'll face during this last stretch of your pregnancy. As your baby's birthday grows closer, you'll likely feel more fatigued. You might wonder, why am I so tired in the third trimester?
In the third trimester, according to What To Expect, you might feel extra fatigued because your growing baby is putting more physical demands on your body. Your baby will grow about 3 to 4 inches, and can gain 4 to 7 pounds during the third trimester, requiring you to carry around more weight, while your growing uterus can limit lung space, making you feel breathless.
Another big reason you might feel tired during the third trimester is lack of quality sleep. As your belly grows, finding a comfortable position to sleep in can be difficult. According to The National Sleep Foundation, backaches and muscle pain due to pregnancy, along with restless leg syndrome, leg cramps, and increased snoring can contribute to third trimester sleep problems. Add pregnancy induced heartburn to the mix, and sleep becomes even more elusive.
Emotional exhaustion is also something that could add to your fatigue. The anxiety and worries you have about your labor and birth, breastfeeding, or adjusting to your new life with the baby can be mentally and emotionally tiring. The emotional exhaustion coupled with the physical exhaustion can lead to one tired, pregnant mom-to-be.
To cope with third trimester fatigue, try to rest as much as you can, advised the American Pregnancy Association (APA), and try to eat a well balanced diet and stay hydrated. The APA suggested that taking walks, even if you feel tired, can help energize you, too.
The good news is that, with just a little time left, you'll finally be able to meet your precious little baby, and all that third trimester fatigue will be a thing of the past. (Instead, you'll get new mom fatigue. Totally different.)
