Natural Health: How can I boost my late-pregnancy energy levels?
"I’m seven months pregnant with my first child and feel exhausted most of the time. I go to bed almost as soon as I get home from work. Is there anything I could take to give me an energy boost?"
Your body is working hard to grow a tiny human, and this can be exhausting due to several factors. Your blood volume increases, hormones fluctuate, and getting a comfortable sleep in the third trimester is nearly impossible.
It is essential that you acknowledge your increased need for rest at this time and take it easy. That said, there are gentle, natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments that may help boost your energy slightly.
Before I suggest natural remedies, it is worth consulting with your primary healthcare provider to check your iron and B12 levels, as fatigue is a common symptom of either deficiency. Even if your levels were good at the start of your pregnancy, they may have changed as your needs increase along with the baby growing.
Herbal teas are a nourishing and straightforward solution for pregnancy-related fatigue. Nettle leaf is rich in iron and other nutrients, peppermint and spearmint can be energising without compromising the adrenals (plus mint helps with third-trimester heartburn — another common issue).
Raspberry leaf is used to help tone and prepare the uterus, as well as fortify the immune system, making it another beneficial herb to add.
At seven months, baby is taking up a significant amount of space in your body, so you don’t often get to use your lungs to their fullest capacity — I’m sure you will have noticed feeling a little out of breath.
Not being able to breathe as deeply as usual can contribute to fatigue, so do take time to practice conscious breathing exercises.
Pregnancy yoga is an ideal way to combine conscious breathing with gentle movement. Prenatal yoga stretches, qi gong, or even a daily short walk will help lift your mood and leave you feeling more energised. Fresh air and natural light go a long way toward making you feel more alert.
It can be tempting to reduce your liquid intake to counter the frequent urge to urinate that often happens during the third trimester of pregnancy, but staying hydrated is essential.
Drinking water (add electrolytes or opt for coconut water) helps prevent energy slumps and supports your body during labour.
Please be gentle with yourself — it’s natural to feel exhausted at this stage. Listen to your body. Take it easy and rest as much as you need.
The warts you describe sound like periungual warts, caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). While they can be very frustrating and make you feel self-conscious, they are typically quite harmless.
Two of the most popular topical natural remedies for wart removal are apple cider vinegar (ACV) and tea tree essential oil. Add ACV or tea tree oil to a small piece of cotton wool, place it over the warts, and secure it with a plaster for an overnight treatment. This should help break down the warts over time, although it can take two to three weeks.
Many people also swear by a concentrated magnesium solution applied topically. Magnesium chloride, in particular, is thought to help clear warts, skin tags, and verrucae. Magnesium is essential for maintaining skin health, supporting immune function, and facilitating cellular repair.
Supporting your immune system is crucial. Find a supplement that includes vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, and look for a herbal antiviral combination.
Remember to keep your hands well moisturised and avoid picking at warts.
- The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
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