Pregnant and SO tired...anything safe I can eat/drink to pick me up??

[hanabanana]

I'm pregnant again (oops...have an 8 month old already!) and just like last time am absolutely exhausted all the time, but have the lil'un and run my own business so there's no way I can sleep as much as I would like! And I can't drink endless cups of coffee to keep myself going!

So...Is there anything e.g. a herbal drink that is safe but would give me the boost I need?? Last time round I was basically exhausted for the entire 9 months, it never really went away and I am just dreading it this time as I already feel awful and don't see it getting any better.

[dilbertina]

Chocolate?! Do remember to drink lots of water.

[Neeerly3]

are you on multivitamins? get some of those started - have early nights as often as possible. get checked for aenemia (sp?). Eat chocolate!

energy giving foods would be pasta, potatoes etc i guess - some carbs....maybe try some light exercise, a walk with your LO in buggy, once a day.

Oh and congrats! I am 13 weeks and still shattered, but it's more bearable now, probably because I am used to it.

[fledtoscotland]

fruit, lots of iron-rich foods and plenty of sleep

[hanabanana]

I already eat really well with lots of veg and fruit etc and am taking vitamins + folic acid...but I was wondering if ginseng/guarana type drinks are safe when PG or even work at all (never really tried them before). Anyone know about this?

I remember last time round hiding myself away to have naps...but at that stage I had less work on (and no DD obviously) so it wasn't so bad, I could afford to take hours out of the day to sleep...

Being PG is so much worse than having the actual baby!!

[IceCube]

Maybe a "power" nap after lunch might give you the energy to do more with the time left for working? i.e. lying down and resting but limiting it by setting an alarm. Does your DD have a nap around this time?

[FrannyandZooey]

spatone is good for iron levels which can give you a boost if you are prone to mild anaemia
I take something called Kiki Superfood which is a fantastic energy booster IMO - not cheap but really worth it (although I personally went off it during pg as it has a very strong taste)
also exercise will help energise you if you can find the right level

[expatinscotland]

Franny, where do you source the Kiki Superfood?

I'm stuck out in the sticks but can get to a Holland and Barrett.

I have mild anaemia but am trying Floradix at present.

[hf128219]

Berocca is good

[expatinscotland]

I've only seen Berocca with aspartame in it, though.

YUK.

[bootus]

Another vote for floradix, have taken it on and off over the years and when started to feel pants this pg (even tho iron levels not reading excessivley low) I started to feel better within fortnight. Doesn't make you constipated either. Just need to remember not to take it with my one cup of blissful hot coffee!!!! Hope you feel better.

[MmeLindt]

Floradix here too.

And try not to drink too much tea and coffee as they stop the body absorbing iron so make you feel worse in the long run. Decaff if you cannot go without. Oh, and don't take iron supplement at the same time as drinking milk or eating yogurt, for the same reason.

Much better is a drink of freshly squeezed orange juice for vitamin C that helps absorb iron.

[FrannyandZooey]

Expat I get from a local independent shop but you can also buy online
I'm afraid it is £30 for what they describe as a month's supply, but I have found it lasts longer than that, plus tbh when I have been feeling really gruesome it has been worth that amount anyway to feel better

[ChocOrange05]

Its not good for you and I don't suggest to have it often but if I need a quick pick me up I have a can of coke (full fat, not diet) and that helps - but I only have this very rarely as I don't drink coffee.

Although from the sounds of things you need something you can have on a more ongoing basis.

[dinkystinky]

Apples and applejuice are good natural pickups....

[Arbuthnot]

Spirulina and wheatgrass both give boosts to energy levels and are high in nutrients. I used to have a shot of wheatgrass and a smoothie instead of espresso and toast when I worked and I definitely had more sustained energy. Wheatgrass was not the most pleasant drink though!

[PetitFilou1]

I drink coke when I'm really desperate

low GI carbs (sweet potato, butternut squash, wholemeal pasta etc)

sleep

pregnancy vitamins (my iron levels are better now at 39 weeks than they were when I booked in )

[CantSleepWontSleep]

pf - butternut squash is actually quite high GI iirc.

[PetitFilou1]

Oh alright then I stand corrected - not got a list in front of me - but white pasta and potatoes are high GI aren't they.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Yes pf, except for new potatoes, which are ok. (Only know this stuff because I have gestational diabetes so it's critical to stick to low GI).

[loopsb74]

I'm 24 wks & finding Kendal Mint Cake works wonders if I'm at work and knackered! a couple of pieces at about 2 in the afternoon really gives me a boost, whereas if I was at home I would be settling down for a nap instead. Its laden with sugar mind you so its not that good for your teeth - but I think its worth it