Why you feel so sleepy in the first trimester

Only yesterday you were juggling work, home and guests; today you are asleep by nine and can barely get up in the morning. Deep tiredness is one of the most common signs of early pregnancy, and there are clear reasons for it.

Your progesterone level is rising fast, and this hormone has a calming, sleep-inducing effect. Your blood volume is increasing, your heart is working harder and your blood pressure may be lower than usual. On top of that, your body is building a placenta — an enormous job that nobody can see.

The good news: in the second trimester, from around 13–14 weeks, most women get their energy back.

Until then:

• go to bed earlier and allow yourself a short rest in the day;
• eat little and often;
• walk for at least 20 minutes in daylight;
• ask your family to take over some of the housework.

If the tiredness comes with breathlessness, paleness or a racing heart, ask your doctor to check your haemoglobin: sometimes anaemia is behind the weakness.