If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, or closing in on the end, chances are pretty good that you're exhausted. Exhausted, fatigued, tired----call it whatever you want. If eight o'clock is a late night for you, and you're finding it hard to complete your usual tasks, you're not alone. Here are some ways to cope with your pregnancy-induced fatigue:

Go Easy On Yourself

This is the best tip I can give any pregnant woman, especially in the first trimester. Think about what your body is doing right now: it's creating the placenta, which is your growing baby's source of nourishment, vitamins, and fluids. At the same time, that little person inside you is developing all of its major systems: the circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems all form during the first trimester. That takes a lot of energy! Even when you're laying down, your body is working harder than most people's do when they exercise! You're bound to feel tired, and you have every reason in the world to feel tired. Don't fight it, don't feel upset that normal day-to-day tasks that you used to zip through now seem impossible. It's pregnancy. Your body has more important things to do than vacuum!

Rest When You Need To

I know, I know. We are so busy that we barely have time to breathe, and I'm telling you to lie down. I'll go one further and tell you to lay down and take a nap. You need more sleep than non-pregnant people. Your body is working hard, and it needs more frequent rejuvenation. True rejuvenation happens when we sleep. It's that simple. Make time to do this one thing, and you'll find the rest of your day a lot easier to deal with, I promise!

Make Sure You're Eating Right

If you're not praying to the porcelain god, chances are you may be ravenous and dealing with cravings. Sometimes, it's both. While the carton of Cherry Garcia may make you feel better right this second, it doesn't have enough nutrients in to sustain your energy level. Making sure that you are eating high quality dairy and proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables will make a big difference in your energy level. Another thing to remember: drink plenty of water.Your body and your baby need lots of fluids right now, and a nice, cool glass of water is always a good pick-me-up.

Get Some Exercise

No, don't go out and run a four minute mile right now. Do some steady, mild exercise, such as walking, riding a stationary bike, or a little prenatal yoga. Gettting your heart pumping a little will give you a bit of a boost. As an added bonus, it will keep your weight gain in check, ward off complications such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, and make it easier to get back in shape after your baby arrives.

I hope these suggestions help you deal with the fatigue of pregnancy. Here comes my disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I'm just a mom who has been through this a few times, and I've tried a few things that have worked for me. Good luck!