During pregnancy, many mothers may feel fatigued and easily tired, which is normal because the body works harder when pregnancy begins. The heart works up to 50% harder, and red blood cells carry more oxygen to nourish the body, causing the mother to feel easily tired. The amount of fluid in the body increases rapidly, and red blood cells become diluted, which also causes increased fatigue. Additionally, mothers who do not get enough sleep due to physical changes are another reason for feeling tired.
Ways to Help Mothers Recover and Feel More Energetic
- Eat a complete 5 food groups, especially foods rich in iron such as pork liver, chicken, pork, lettuce, pea eggplants, tomatoes, and pumpkin seeds.
- Get enough sleep by going to bed early and avoiding staying up late. You may take additional naps during the day for half an hour to two hours if you find it difficult to sleep through the night.
- Avoid activities that cause easy fatigue such as walking continuously for a long time or shopping for extended periods.
- If the mother has young children who still need care, find someone to help or have the father assist to share the burden so the mother can rest fully and not become overly tired.
- Do light exercise such as stretching to help the mother recover. The body will release endorphins, the happiness hormone, making the body feel good and more energetic.
- Take some free time for yourself by calling friends to meet and chat at a nearby restaurant or park. This is a good way to relax and rejuvenate the mind by exchanging or updating new stories.
However, if the mother experiences abnormal fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, or fainting, she should promptly see a doctor to find the cause and receive timely treatment for the health and well-being of both the baby and the mother.
