No one prepares you – or can prepare you – for just how enthralling and exhausting being a mom can be. It’s strange to see such contrasting emotions tied into one identity, but that’s the beauty of parenthood.
Although tiny, babies can be very demanding and need endless things 24/7. Toddlers and preteens continue the chaos. Indeed, moms of tweens and teens have intense exhaustion to report, stemming from anxiety and endless activities that never seem to get over. And yet, we do it all because we love our babies.
Over time, fatigue can become a chronic problem. So many parents suffer tiredness that we don’t treat it as seriously as we should.
Why are Moms More Prone to Tiredness?
A 2024 study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reported that moms carry 79% of the daily mental labor of managing a family and household. While no one denies the pivotal role of dads in the equation, studies find that their tasks may be more episodic than relentless.
The constant list of errands in your mind largely contributes to fatigue. It is natural to feel mentally and physically exhausted after tackling grocery lists, lunch packing, and doctor’s appointments all the time.
However, do you suspect your fatigue is too intense to attribute to this everyday physical and mental load? You should not shake off your concerns. There may be deeper health issues at play that are worsening your tiredness.
Read more: Raising Children Based On Their Zodiac Sign: 12 Helpful Tips For Parents!
Examining Health to Understand Other Causes of Fatigue in Moms
Here are three proactive ways to assess your health and understand what is behind your persistent tiredness. Deciding to be in more control of your body can help you live a more satisfying life as a parent and an individual.
1. Get Checked for Anemia and Thyroid Problems
When was the last time you went for a full-body health checkup? A blood panel can detect if you suffer from anemia or thyroid problems, which cause fatigue in many women worldwide.
The World Health Organization finds that 30% of women aged 15–49 years suffer from anemia or severe iron deficiency. Among pregnant women, the percentage is 37. It manifests as fatigue and shortness of breath. You may feel that your work capacity has reduced, and you get dizzy fast.
We can reduce our risk of anemia by eating more iron-rich foods like fish and poultry. Vegetarians can find iron in lentils and dark leafy vegetables. We also need to consume foods rich in vitamin C, like oranges, to help the body absorb dietary iron. However, more severe iron deficiencies will require supplements.
Like anemia, thyroid issues also cause significant fatigue. You may feel overtired if your thyroid gland is not working as actively as usual – a condition called hypothyroidism. It may leave you unable to get through the day without catnaps. Or you may feel drained even after getting ten hours of sleep. Your doctor will prescribe suitable medication to tackle thyroid problems.
As moms, we are more prone to thyroid troubles than men. All the hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy can take a toll on the body. Women also have a higher likelihood of autoimmune problems, which can explain thyroid functioning issues.
2. Reconsider Birth Control That May Cause Fatigue
Have you been on hormonal birth control for many years but have recently stopped? Post-birth control syndrome, also called PBCS, is notorious for causing intense fatigue.
Cosmopolitan explains that the pill works by acting on your body’s natural estrogen and progesterone to stop ovulation and prevent pregnancy. Naturally, the body has a lot of recalibration to do when you stop taking it. This process can cause overwhelming tiredness. It can also mess up your menstrual cycles for a while and lead to irritability and anxiety.
It is also possible that your birth control has been suppressing conditions like PCOS. When you come off the contraceptive pill, your body has to deal with them afresh. Some emergency contraceptives can also cause tiredness. They may also trigger gastrointestinal problems and headaches.
Picking the optimal birth control has always been a challenge for women. A long-term approach like Copper IUD may be too painful. Some women consider a contraceptive injection as an easier-to-manage approach.
However, recent media reports shed doubt on the safety of these products. For example, Depo-Provera, a birth control injection created by Pfizer, has been linked to a higher likelihood of brain tumors. The Depo-Provera lawsuit aims to bring accountability to this situation and raise awareness about this serious risk.
The Depo-Provera settlement information may surprise most women because compensation amounts are huge. This also indicates the gravity of the risk, considering that manufacturers are liable to pay millions for the harm.
Consult your gynecologist to consider birth control options more suited to your body and long-term reproductive plans. TorHoerman Law notes that some pharma companies may underrepresent the side effects of their products or be negligent about adequate warnings.
Your doctor can be the best guide to finding an appropriate plan for you, including options like tubal ligation (or vasectomy for your partner).
3. Screen for High-Functioning Depression
No, I am not depressed.
Is that the first instinctive response you want to give when someone brings up mental health?
Discussions on depression have become more common as more people are growing to understand and accept these challenges. High-functioning depression is known to cause fatigue and sleep disturbances. It can also change your appetite and lower your concentration. Despite all this, you may not feel the characteristic “sadness” or distress that popular culture associates with depression.
Some of us feel that depression affects only new moms (postpartum). It may bring to mind stigma and weakness. You may believe that depression stems from a childhood trauma or significant life event that changes everything.
In reality, depression can affect us at any stage in life. Verywell Mind observes that women are more prone to mental health issues due to hormonal differences and higher stress levels. Our social roles and coping mechanisms could also play a role.
A Cureus study reports that many don’t acknowledge depression before they reach burnout. More people in the US now experience symptoms like exhaustion and lowered functioning. You may get along just fine, fulfilling all your responsibilities, but not find joy in everyday events. Consulting an expert for a mental health screening can help us identify these concerns and work on alleviating them.
Here’s hoping you decide to take charge of your health and do not sideline yourself for others in the household. Our families are irreplaceable, but so is our everyday wellness.
After all, being a mom shouldn’t mean we must cope with debilitating exhaustion all the time. (Only some of the time!)
Leave a Reply