Why Am I So Sleepy All The Time?

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If you’re around week 6 and feel like you could nap all day, you’re not imagining it. Pregnancy fatigue is real. For many women, it hits hard in the first trimester. Even if you’re sleeping well at night, you may still feel heavy, foggy, or drained during the day.

This sudden tiredness isn’t a sign that something’s wrong. In fact, it’s one of the earliest and most common symptoms of pregnancy.

Your Body Is Doing More Than You Think

At six weeks, your body is in overdrive. The embryo is growing quickly. Organs, brain tissue, and the circulatory system are starting to form. So, many different changes are happening in the body. This takes a huge amount of energy.

Blood volume is also increasing. Your heart is pumping faster to carry oxygen and nutrients to the uterus. That extra work can make you feel like your body is constantly running a marathon.

You may not look pregnant, but your body is working 24/7 to support the tiny life inside you.

Hormones Play a Big Role

A major reason for this deep fatigue is rising levels of progesterone. This hormone helps keep your pregnancy stable. But it also acts like a natural sedative. It can make you feel sluggish, sleepy, or mentally foggy. You may especially feel sleepy in the afternoon.

Other hormone shifts, including rising hCG and lower blood sugar, can also add to your exhaustion. You may feel tired after eating, walking short distances, or even getting out of bed.

These changes are temporary but very real.

What You Can Do to Feel Better

You don’t need to fight the fatigue. If your body is asking for rest, give it rest. Try going to bed earlier, even if it means leaving things undone. A 20-minute nap during the day can make a big difference, too.

Eat regularly to keep your blood sugar steady. Include protein and complex carbs in your snacks and meals. Simple things like a boiled egg with toast or a banana with peanut butter can help keep your energy more balanced.

Drink water throughout the day. Dehydration can make tiredness worse. If plain water is unappealing, try adding lemon or cucumber slices for a little flavor.

Move your body gently. A short walk, stretching, or light movement may boost circulation and lift your energy, even if only for a little while.

When to Check With Your Provider

Feeling sleepy at week 6 is normal. But if you feel faint, can’t stay awake during the day, or experience shortness of breath, mention it to your doctor. It may be something simple, like low iron, that can be corrected easily.

In most cases, this deep fatigue fades by the second trimester. For now, think of sleep as a form of nourishment. Your body is building something new, and that takes more energy than you’ve likely ever used before.

So, if you feel like lying down all the time, it’s not laziness. It’s biology. And it’s okay to listen.