new baby Sleep deprivation and training

[darlacz]

Hi everyone. Just a little about me... I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my second child and I'm already planning my strategy for getting back in shape. However, I remember the severe exhaustion I felt for the first 4 months of my first daughter's life. I can remember being so tired I couldn't even complete sentences, my brain was that numb. In fact I thought I was coming down with the flu until I realized it was just complete exhaustion. Well, needless to say it was worth it but I don't want to wait 4 months to begin hardcore training again either.

I just wanted to hear from some of you out there as to your coping strategies with the fatigue and how you managed to fit training in. Were there any supplements you used? I've heard vitagreens is good.

I've heard the same old "sleep when the baby sleeps" but that is easier said than done when you have a 2 year old who is on a normal schedule.

Good luck to all the other preggers out there. :)


Just a quick vent... I don't mind my expanding belly but why oh why do I have to be one of the unlucky ones who looks pregnant from my nose to my toes. That's right, even my nose looks pregnant. :censor: It also seems that my rear is growing in direct proportion to my stomach... maybe this is nature's way of keeping me in balance. I'm also gaining the same amount of weight as last pregnancy despite the fact that I've kept a training schedule up and am eating very cleanly. Arrgh. Just had to vent.

[liberty]

Originally posted by darlacz@May 25 2006, 03:06 PM
Hi everyone. Just a little about me... I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my second child and I'm already planning my strategy for getting back in shape. However, I remember the severe exhaustion I felt for the first 4 months of my first daughter's life. I can remember being so tired I couldn't even complete sentences, my brain was that numb. In fact I thought I was coming down with the flu until I realized it was just complete exhaustion. Well, needless to say it was worth it but I don't want to wait 4 months to begin hardcore training again either.

I just wanted to hear from some of you out there as to your coping strategies with the fatigue and how you managed to fit training in. Were there any supplements you used? I've heard vitagreens is good.

I've heard the same old "sleep when the baby sleeps" but that is easier said than done when you have a 2 year old who is on a normal schedule.

Good luck to all the other preggers out there. :)


Just a quick vent... I don't mind my expanding belly but why oh why do I have to be one of the unlucky ones who looks pregnant from my nose to my toes. That's right, even my nose looks pregnant. :censor: It also seems that my rear is growing in direct proportion to my stomach... maybe this is nature's way of keeping me in balance. I'm also gaining the same amount of weight as last pregnancy despite the fact that I've kept a training schedule up and am eating very cleanly. Arrgh. Just had to vent.
I had a newborn and a 2 year old and I was surprized by how much I got done. You are right that you can't sleep all the time but getting out with the two kids gives you energy too. I found going to activities and play groups with my dtr and babe was a way of coping with being tired. You will be impressed with how well you do with two. I remember feeling a little embarrassed once I had two when I looked back at my first new born experience and how little I got done :oops: I was barely able to feed myself when I had one and yet when I had two I was able to feed, bathe and clothe all of us and still do fun things. You will rise to the occasion have no fear. I assume you are having another girl?( Your body description screams girl)
C

[homeschoolmom]

I totally agree with Liberty...you will rise to the occasion. I have 4 kids and with each one I learned to manage my time a bit better and I also learned to let go of some of my expectations. The house didn't *have* to be spotless. Take care of the people in your life first(including yourself!), and then, when you have time, toss in a load of laundry or vacuum. The first few months are always a blur of boobs and diapers and before you know it, you'll be an expert at multitasking with multiple kids and you'll have passed the exhausted-all-the-time stage. Working out (even just walking with the baby and toddler) will give you some extra energy. Give yourself the time to take care of you so that you'll be able to take care of the others in your life. :)

[Tina]

nice replies.
Sometimes I think that the second one might be easier just because I'll be more prepared and know what to expect.

[darlacz]

Thanks for giving me some hope. We're pretty certain it is another girl. The doc couldn't tell for certain during sono as baby was being modest. I hadn't heard about body shape being different depending on the sex of the baby but it would make sense in my case. Liberty I was laughing out loud reading your post because I felt the same way with the first... I was having a good day if I remembered to brush my own teeth (baby was perfectly groomed though! :p

I guess just getting up and keeping active during daylight hours will help. I've also heard not to let couch inertia set in. I'm glad to know that people get through it. To be honest I'm a bit nervous about starting over with another newborn. I'm also tired of the pregnancy rollercoaster but not long to go now.

wow 4 kids homeschoolmom. You're my new hero.

[fitnesschick]

i have 4 kids too. seriously looking back... go easy on yourself the first few months. they are so little for such a short time it's best to focus on your beautiful kids and do your best to take care of yourself. don't worry about the housecleaning like homeschool mom said ... there is always time for that when the kids are a bit older. do you have a sling for the baby? a sling is great you can carry the babe around and get some laundry or meals done or even vaccuming with the baby in the sling. i used the sling with all 4 and it was such a help.

i found pregnancy to be more exhausting than when the baby was born. don't be afraid to ask for help after the baby is born ... even if it's just for someone to watch your older one so you can nap when the baby does.

i have faith to that you will rise to the occasion!

[darlacz]

thanks fitnesschick...I don't have a sling yet but a friend of mine works for hotslings.com so I'm thinking about one of those. It's funny you mention being more exhausted during pregnancy as I am whipped today. I don't know if it is the heat or what but I figure if what you say is true, then if I can handle this exhaustion now then I can also handle it when the baby is born.

thanks for the support :love:

Another quick vent... I know we aren't *supposed* to care about scale weight but why is it that the scale at the ob/gyn is so much higher than anywhere else. I've vowed to turn my head until after baby's born next month as I can't change it now anyway. I love swelling in the heat. :)

[rogmel]

I found that both my second and third were WAY better sleepers than my first....I spent most nights up for hours with #1, which is why I was personally useless during the day....the next two times, baby was sleeping at leat 5-6 hours every night by 2 weeks, and were taking great naps, so not only was I not tired, I was productive and felt much less useless....I think every person with more than one looks back and wonders why it was so hard the first time.....I wish a good sleeping baby for you!!!!
good luck!!!

[Liz]

Wow, my second and third were way better sleepers than my first too. But that I think had a lot to do with the fact that I gave in to co sleeping. They are in comas next to me. With my first I spent the first month trying to get her to sleep in her crib, and I was sleep deprived and exhausted.

I have had way more energy this last time around. And mine are 4, 2, and 4 months.
:baby: :baby: :baby:

[darlacz]

Wow! Thanks you guys. I sure hope my second is a good sleeper. Looking back on my first, I'm not sure if her sleeping habits were more because of her or because of my new mothering. I would jump at every snort or snuffle. I do have one of those handy bedside sleepers for the first few weeks this time so maybe I won't be so anxious.