thyroid) and lower levels of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. “On top of that your baby has a different type of haemoglobin that uses your oxygen, so it’s a double whammy,” says Chrisna. “There could also be other clinical causes such as iron- deficiency anaemia (see “Beef up your iron” on page 34), pernicious anaemia (a deficiency of vitamin B1), thyroid imbalance, poor eating habits which result in not enough caloric intake to sustain your energy, and lastly, but certainly not to be ignored, depression,” says Dr Barsky. Chrisna strongly agrees that poor eating habits are a key culprit for exhaustion and warns against not following a balanced diet while pregnant. She especially advises against low carbohydrate diets, which she says are not suitable for pregnant women. “Not taking in enough carbohydrate rich foods not only deprives you of necessary energy but is very dangerous for your baby as your body might go into a state of ketosis. In a study using lab rats, ketosis has shown to cause problems in the growth of a few organs – one of which one was the brain.”


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CHECK YOUR DIET Most often the causes for exhaustion during pregnancy can be treated by making dietary, exercise and/or lifestyle changes. If there are no urgent medical causes (see “When to check in”, below), making sure you’re following a balanced diet is a good place to start, says Chrisna. Begin by sticking to three meals and two snacks a day. Regular eating will ensure your blood sugar levels remain stable and you won’t feel tired. Also keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.


As for what to have in your meals and snacks, Chrisna stresses the importance


of


including a variety of foods from all the food groups and not excluding any foods unless advised by a doctor. “Opt for low GI starches, different colours of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, low fat or fat free dairy and plant


WHEN TO CHECK IN


It’s always advisable to check in with your healthcare practitioner if your fatigue is severe or persistent, says Dr Peter Vincent from the Medicross Tokai Family Medical and Dental Centre. But if you have any of the following symptoms, you need to make that visit urgent:


1 BREATHLESSNESS 2 FEELING FAINT 3 INCREASED SWELLING OF THE LEGS


“Also, if you are feeling sad or apathetic, or if you experience a change in appetite, you may be suffering prenatal depression which needs urgent attention,” he adds.


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