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may find it difficult to power nap in the first trimester if they have yet to tell their co-workers or boss the good news, power naps are a great way of restoring energy in the early stages of pregnancy. Try to get 15 minutes at lunch time and it'll set you up nicely for the afternoon.
4. Go for a walk - while the idea of exercise may not appeal when you're so exhausted, it actually helps to get out in the fresh air and have a walk. A brisk walk will get the endorphins going and give you a natural energy boost.

5. Rest in the evening - no matter what your usual routine is, during pregnancy your partner needs to be supportive from the start. Don't be afraid to ask for a little extra help with housework or a relaxing back or shoulder rub if it'll help you wind down for a good night's sleep.
6. Hit the pool even though strenuous exercise is not recommended, gentle paddling up and down, or even just allowing yourself to float, is a great way to relax and take the strain off swollen feet and aching backs.
7. Learn to accept help while you may be used to being very self-sufficient, accept help where it's offered, whether it's a stranger offering you their seat on the bus, your partner volunteering to get the groceries or even your parents offering to take your toddler off your hands for a few hours. These are all opportunities for you to relax and restore some of that energy, as well as giving others a chance to show they care.

Finally, there may be times you've tried every trick you know to get over the fatigue, and you're still exhausted. Hang on in there! The end is in sight, and the first time you hold your baby will more than make up for what has gone before.

Learn more about this author, Melanie Denyer.
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