Q&A: I am 11 weeks pregnant and all I want to do is sleep.

Fatigue at any point in pregnancy is normal. Especially at the transition between the first and second trimester when there are changes in your progesterone level. Progesterone can make you sleepy, and near the end of the first trimester the ovarian progesterone production is taken over by the placental production. If there's an overlap of surge, you may experience more fatigue than usual.

But...

Fatigue can also be abnormal in pregnancy. Hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, but usually HYPERthyroidism is the aberration seen. Anemia, common in pregnancy, can become much worse if you're anemic to begin with. Cold remedies and antihistamines are taken more frequently in pregnancy because colds tend to last longer since the immune system is diminished somewhat (so you won't reject your baby). These medicines are famous for making you sleepy.

The most common cause is modern life for the pregnant modern woman. Think about it -- you're working, then you get home and job #2 (motherhood) continues. This is hard, hard work. In these modern times we are leading double lives. Pregnancy is tough enough if all you have to do is take care of yourself; but you're taking care of others as well in addition to working full time. No wonder you're tired. And if you pile on top of all of this one of the legitimate reasons for fatigue (anemia, etc.), you're going to want to drop for sure.

Have your doctor check out medical reasons for fatigue. If there's nothing there, consider your lifestyle. I know you probably have to work, but you have to survive, too.