12+5 exhausted and in pain - Fertility Network...

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12+5 exhausted and in pain

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image

I thought that the end of the first semester would mean energy and the end of feeling crappy. I had very few symptoms in 1st trimester apart from exhaustion which has steadily become better over the last few weeks, but now I suddenly feel exhausted again.. to the point that I worry about being able to get to work. I have bad joint pain.. and abdominal pain too. Does anyone have any idea about what might be happening? I am not spotting or bleeding, just feeling crappy. I ‘ve contacted my EPU but still waiting for them to get back to me

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Bozo_the_pumpkin
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22 Replies
RhinoCat profile image
RhinoCat

Mmmmm not sure. You will have bloods taken at the 12 week scan to check iron levels etc. Maybe something is a bit off. Keep eating healthy snacks little and often and up your water intake to keep everything ticking over . I was tired for much longer that the first trimester. Everyone one is different I guess, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ring your own gp if you are very worried. Stretchy Paine etc are all part of it as your womb stretches etc . love and hugs 💐💐💐💐

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toRhinoCat

Thank you Rhinocat.. I thought it felt a bit odd. My GP is a bit useless at the moment.. won’t touch anything pregnancy related. Hopefully my EPU will be of some help, I felt a bit silly when I rung them yesterday-thought I was just being a bit nervy. I will definitely ask when they call. Wishing you well xx💕

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy

Have you had any bloods done yet? Definitely worth ruling out anaemia. You should have had some baseline bloodwork around 10 weeks and if not speak to your midwife ASAP so she can get that organised for you. I think everyone feels a bit different in 2nd trimester - my all-day nausea starting at 6 weeks went on well into 22/23 weeks and was only really properly gone by about 25/26 weeks, but I did not get significant tiredness really at any point in my pregnancy (which most people do at some point). If your GP won't see you then ask to speak to another - they can't just refuse to see you because you are pregnant! Hope you get some answers and feel better soon xx

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toPurpledoggy

Hi 👋🏽 thank you very much… I should have known that symptoms in trimester 3 won’t be a one size fits all!!! Really silly of my.. I spoke with the EPU last night and they were not concerned really. My bloods 10 weeks showed a really healthy level of iron . Looks like I will just have to ride it all out. At least the aches have subsided a bit and is not as full on as it was before. Maybe my walk on Saturday was to blame after all. The EPU was not impressed that I basically don’t have a midwife at the moment.. I got moved from one midwife to another 3 weeks but the new midwife (unnamed as yet) has not taken ownership and been in touch. I was told I will get to meet them at 16 weeks 🤷🏽‍♀️ Not sure if this is the norm but Looks like I’m flying solo until then

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply toBozo_the_pumpkin

Oh goodness that won’t help anything! They do sound like the have messed you about. Glad to hear you’re a bit less achey and hope you feel better soon! Just try to take it easy for the next few weeks-it’s a good excuse to self indulge in some boxsets, books, and anything else relaxing xx

Defo get the iron checked. Honestly I felt rubbish the whole pregnancy. After the OHSS finally went at 13 weeks I had horrid rib expansion pain and round ligament pain as well. I had hip pain and joints pain in general. I went to a women’s Osteo which was so amazing. helpfully she pointed out many things but one think stuck with me she was saying how I maybe hunching over in a protective stance to protect my longed for baby and I needed to straighten up and open my body up. She used sports tape on my tummy and did good work on my ribs which helped my abdomen and joints. If you can afford it I recommend finding a women’s osteo find the best you can afford. Get a go to give you the once over just to stop worrying at least . Good luck !

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply to

Thank you.. my iron levels looks ok so maybe delayed early pregnancy symptoms? I seem to have bouts of nausea now as well so maybe my luck has run out. Thanks for the advice about the Osteo… that is something I will definitely look into.. the joint pains are a bit better now but still pretty bad. Perhaps my weight makes it worse

Shireen1 profile image
Shireen1

Hi Bozo! I am also low on energy but no pains. I do second what others wrote to check your iron levels. When I had anemia 10 years ago I was tired, lethargic, and my shins were painful for some reasons. Low vitamin D can cause fatigue but I am assuming you are taking those supplements already. Good luck and I hope your energy will come back soon!

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toShireen1

Thank you Shireen.. looks like my iron levels is not the culprit here… my bloods from 2 weeks ago has just come in. I take 1000 vitamin d as well… the EPU thinks all symptoms are simply because I am pregnant .. so I guess it’s grim and bear 🤷🏽‍♀️

Shireen1 profile image
Shireen1 in reply toBozo_the_pumpkin

Take care and rest as much as you can! I was thinking that stopping prednisone can also cause low energy for few days. Difficult to know what is it with all these pills on top of pregnancy :)

Pupster83 profile image
Pupster83

Hi, I’m now 16+4 and still shattered, achy and feeling sick some days. I had also hoped after reaching 12 weeks and stopping progesterone at 13 weeks that I would start to feel more energised and like myself but it hasn’t really happened as I had hoped. I have a dog and am out walking everyday as was advised to try and keep up gentle exercise but after 20-30 mins my back, bum and legs are really sore. I also have pains under my rib cage and have had sore crampy tummy on and off a few times. I’ve had spotting twice so I have been seen by EPU the other week and everything was fine. I was due to start a pregnancy yoga and breathing class last week but EPU suggest I hang off a week so I am starting on Thursday. Prior to my last round of ICSI and getting pregnant I did pilates twice a week which had been amazing for my back so I’m hoping doing something similar but gentler will help a bit. I also have a consultant appointment on Friday and I’m going to ask about whether I can go to my local physio if the aches and pains aren’t improving. Good luck and hope you find something that works for you.

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toPupster83

Gosh.. ! I am so sorry that you are still feeling the aches… 2nd trimester was touted as some sort of golden utopia land of honey, smiles and good feelings.. but clearly I have been duped 🤣🤣 ok.. I think I am starting to get a fuller picture now of what is what, perhaps my expectations were a bit too elevated. I did some pregnancy yoga on Sunday as I thought that it would help with my aches… wow, was I in pain thereafter but I think it helped towards feeling better now. I was due to start swimming, but leaving the house was just too much for me. I will see about going this week. Fingers crossed it will help. Hope you feel in top of the world soon xx

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers

Sorry you're not feeling great. From around 5 weeks I had really bad constant nausea, crippling headaches, bloated, bad stomach, exhausted... The headaches and the bad stomach went when I tapered off progesterone and I was hoping for the 9 week peak and 12 week lessening of symptoms, but it just stayed constant for me until around 17 weeks, and didn't really go until 20. It then came back but less intense and often from around 23 weeks. I got the round ligament pains - not badly I don't think compared to how a lot of women report and earlier on joint pains in my knees, back aches and twinges, and like a feeling my knees and back would give out - but these were more short lived or if I tried to do too much. It was pretty rubbish and combined with brain fog I got quite miserable and worried I couldn't do my job. However, everything was fine with the baby and I kept a good diet, exercised in any way I could (or could be bothered on the particular day!) and I have been much more chirpy since around 25 weeks. That being said, get it all checked and keep an eye on it as then you'll know if it's just something to get through (maybe see if your work can make some adjustments - even temporarily until you start to feel a bit better?) or something you may be able to get help with. x

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toFruitandflowers

Wow .. I am so sorry you had to deal with all that for sooo long… I really did not think it would go on after 12 weeks. How disappointing. Glad things have improved for you now.. but it’s a good many weeks to look forward to feeling crappy. I know we’re not all the same, but if person went through it, it makes it a possibility doesn’t it. I am starting to do exercise again.. well.. I’ve done one session of yoga-hopefully I will continue and not just be lazy. My diet is still not what it should be but at least I have started to eat fruit. My bloods seem to be ok.. was checked at 10 weeks. Have you had Thyroid tests at all? I am so glad that you are feeling better and I hope it will continue xx

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply toBozo_the_pumpkin

Thank you. It felt like a long time and was worried about how long I was facing it for, but it could have been so much worse and I the relief now I feel better makes me think I could to cartwheels! (although will probably just stick to gentle yoga :) ). Btw, when I say good diet, I don't mean perfect at all - I mean I could still manage to eat and tried to keep a balance, but as far as I understand it, the baby needs such tiny amounts of nutrients it will get what it needs even if you can't eat much or it's not the best. I've had my thyroid checked quite often and it's always fine. I think the tiredness is very common and so is the just feeling crappy, but best to always get it checked x

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toFruitandflowers

Cartwheels! I like that! I think I should just lay of the fats and sugar.. and increase the veg. It will do me and my weight good. I must say that I am feeling much better.. the joint pains now just come and go rather than being debilitating. But I did enjoy my 2.5 hour nap this afternoon… dead on my feet! Very glad you’re feeling better xx

Jjleo profile image
Jjleo

Hopefully this may reassure you! I had my 17 week midwife appointment today, I'm having twins. I mentioned to her about feeling very uncomfortable the past week or so wirh light cramps and pulling pains when I get up etc she said all this was completely normal and that all your organs etc are moving to accommodate the baby.

Also I got big quickly and I would get regular stretching pains and then a few days later would notice my belly had grown could it be a case with you if you are now getting your bump?

Midwife did say to me today if I felt more tired than normal to let them know as I would need my iron levels checked so I would give your midwife a ring :) xx

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply toJjleo

That is very reassuring thank you! I am feeling much much better. I spoke with the EPU and they said that it is all normal. Z so now I am just taking it easy and doing some yoga really. It will all be better soon I hope

Sorry to hear your not feeling so good. I agree with the others about getting your bloods checked. I've been suffering with headaches, cramps and tiredness from about 10 weeks (13 now). I think the abdominal pain could be growing pains as mine got worse around 12 weeks. Is it possible to speak to your midwife?

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin in reply to

Hi Lilly, looks like we are at the same stage now. I am 13+2 today! My bloods seem to all be fine. They were done at 10 weeks. Iron levels ok etc. I spoke with the EPU and they say everything is normal…maybe my growing pains are here now🤷🏽‍♀️ Thanks for your advice . I hope everything is going well with you!

It’s not an exact science. 12 weeks is the most common time when symptoms start to change but it can take a lot longer. Mine also faded out gradually around this time I wasn’t instantly better. You could be anaemic but if you’ve been taking all the supplements it might just be normal symptoms - nothing too bad to worry about - maybe see your GP rather than the epu

Bozo_the_pumpkin profile image
Bozo_the_pumpkin

Yes you are right.. nothing about this process is an exact science so not sure why I was so taken with this .. perhaps just excitement about getting to the end of 1st trimester and it’s increased dangers. I am actually feeling so much better now.. so my symptoms are fading as well. I was just surprised that it suddenly got so much worse at 12 weeks rather than better. My bloods are also all good so it seems everything is nice and normal. How are things with you? I hope you have some good news about your placenta soon xx

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