Tired and Cranky @ 23 weeks

[Anonymous]

I am 23 weeks along and feeling tired (taking care of toddler) and crabby. Last night I skipped out on a holiday party because I felt sad, fat, bloated and cranky. Today I want to skip another party because the thought of chasing my toddler around a crowd of drinking people in a house that is not baby proofed just pisses me off. Am I having normal pregnancy emotions and being reasonable? Of course typing that makes me laugh because I am not being reasonable per say.

I just have lost all desire to go out of my way to be social if it will tire me out. I'd rather save my energy for toddler, errands and myself. Everyone wants to see the toddler but it lasts for ten minutes then I am stuck running around, entertaining him, chasing him and I just do not want to deal with it. Last night the thought of dressing up and sitting with a bunch of smoking, drinking people while I am half asleep and cranky just pissed me off so I didn't go.

Did you feel this way when you were pregnant chasing a toddler around? I am ok feeling tired and limiting what I do, right?

[Anonymous]

You are feeling 100% normal for a pregnant woman with a toddler! Now is the time to take care of yourself. The last thing you need to do is wear yourself out and get sick. If you don't want to go to the party, don't. Is your husband/s.o. helping with toddler care? You may want to explain that you need additional help with your toddler now--and it will become even more necessary as your pregnancy progresses.

But, what you are feeling is really normal so don't beat yourself up. I was tired and cranky (like foul-cranky!) starting around 20 weeks and I admit that it lastest through most of the rest of the pregnancy. I just wasn't one of those happy-all-the-time pregnant women!!

[Anonymous]

Yes, Yes and Yes. I'm right with you OP (almost to the week). I'm not even sure that I'd attribute your feelings completely to the pregnancy, but rather just being the mom of a toddler. That's hard enough.

We avoided having many holiday related activities since we don't have that many friends in town, but even when we want to get together with people, I'm worried about how "adult" activities and a toddler mix. So at this point, I pretty well limit things to either people visiting us (where I feel more comfortable) or we go out sans kid (not that that happens much).

[Anonymous]

You just described my entire pregnancy! I'm 33 weeks with #2 and a 3 year old. My kid sometimes asks me if I'm in the "cranky zone"! I declined a night out at the movies last night because I couldn't be bothered putting on socks. Really, the thought of finding socks that matched, trying to fit them on my big, fat, swollen feet, then stuffing them into too tight shoes was just too much. I also haven't slept well due to the fact that this baby is perched right on top of it. I'm usually up 4-5 times a night pee-ing.