Week 40 • Third Trimester
Fatigue & Exhaustion at Week 40
Overwhelming tiredness and lack of energy
📆 Third Trimester Overview
Returns as weight increases and sleep is disrupted
🔍 What Causes Fatigue & Exhaustion at Week 40?
- •Progesterone acting as sedative
- •Body building placenta
- •Increased blood production
- •Lower blood pressure and sugar
- •Increased metabolism
- •Poor sleep quality
- •Iron deficiency anemia
- •Carrying extra weight
✓ Normal Signs
- ✓Feeling very tired
- ✓Needing naps
- ✓Less energy than usual
- ✓Improves with rest
⚠ Concerning Signs
- ⚠Extreme exhaustion with dizziness
- ⚠Fatigue with shortness of breath
- ⚠Severe fatigue with pale skin
- ⚠Unable to do any activities
💊 Relief Strategies
- ✓Sleep 8-10 hours nightly
- ✓Take short naps when possible
- ✓Eat iron-rich foods
- ✓Stay hydrated
- ✓Light exercise like walking
- ✓Reduce commitments
- ✓Ask for help
- ✓Eat small, frequent meals
- ✓Take prenatal vitamins
🏥 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Extreme exhaustion preventing daily activities
- ⚠Fatigue with dizziness or fainting
- ⚠Shortness of breath with fatigue
- ⚠Fatigue with pale skin or cold extremities
- ⚠No improvement in second trimester