01/26/2026
Hypermobility and Fatigue During Pregnancy
One of the biggest lessons pregnancy has taught me, especially as someone who is hypermobile, is that energy is not unlimited, and pushing through fatigue almost always backfires. Before pregnancy, I could often compensate for low energy or recover faster if I did overdo it. During pregnancy, that margin disappeared quickly. Learning how to pace my energy wasn’t about doing less; it was about doing things more intentionally.
Hypermobility already requires more muscular effort to stabilize joints. Add pregnancy-related changes in hormones, sleep, blood volume, and posture, and it’s no surprise fatigue hits harder and earlier. When energy drops, joint control drops with it. For me, ignoring early signs of fatigue led to more pain, more discomfort, and longer recovery times.
Energy pacing means breaking my day into manageable chunks instead of treating it like one long to-do list. I stopped saving everything for “later” and started spacing tasks out, especially anything that required prolonged standing, walking, or lifting. Short rest breaks weren’t a sign of weakness; they are preventative care for my joints and nervous system.
It also means being strategic with movement. I chose shorter, lower-intensity workouts on days when my energy is limited and prioritize mobility and activation over volume. On higher-energy days, I still resist the urge to overdo it, knowing the cost would show up 24 hours later, if not immediately.
Perhaps the hardest part was mental: letting go of the expectation that productivity should look the same every day. Pregnancy demands flexibility, not just in my joints, but in my mindset. Some days, success looks like a walk and a nap. Other days, it is strength training, heavy work, and errands.
Energy pacing isn’t about giving up. It’s about respecting the increased demands on a hypermobile, pregnant body so you can stay functional, reduce pain, and feel more like yourself throughout pregnancy.
Looking for a Prenatal program by a Physical Therapist?
Click here for my prenatal program. Check out my physical therapy and strength training services if you are interested. Don’t want to commit to sessions? Schedule a one-time virtual assessment here, or just follow along for my free content on Instagram and Youtube.
