The summers seem to be getting hotter and hotter each year. It is not always possible to avoid a pregnancy during the summer months, if not more mom’s would avoid it. If you do end up pregnant during the summer months, you can expect that it will feel hotter outside than a normal summer due to your growing belly. A pregnant mom during the summer months can expect to be miserable as soon as the temperature outside begins to rise. It is important to take care of yourself during the summer months to avoid complications that can result from heat related illnesses including dehydration. In fact, I was pregnant with my older two children during the summer months and I remember that it was very uncomfortable. I remember that I was even hot all of the time and it was hard to stay cool even inside of the house.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. The opinions in this post are my own and all suggestions are based upon my own summer pregnancies.
If you are pregnant and miserable, you will want to try to stay as cool and comfortable as possible so that you don’t get overheated. Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay as cool and comfortable as possible:
- Avoid Dehydration – Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids. Do avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks that don’t quench your thirst. Do increase your water intake as soon as the temperatures start to rise. You will need to drink more water, especially, if you are spending time outside in the heat.
- Wear Light Clothing – If you plan on spending time outside, you should wear light colored clothing that is made from natural fibers that help keep you cooler such as cotton. Do avoid wearing dark colors which absorb heat and make you feel hotter. Opt to wear maternity tank tops, maternity maxi dresses, maternity skirts, or maternity shorts to help keep you cool.
- Turn on the A/C – If you have an air conditioner, you will want to turn it and set it to a comfortable temperature inside of your home. Don’t have an air conditioner to keep you cool during the daytime hours. You should try to find places that do have air conditioning such as the grocery store, mall, library, or other places that have an A/C so that you can cool off during the hottest part of the day.
- Swimming Pool – A swimming pool is not only relaxing but it can help you cool off. If you head to the pool, make sure that you put on sunscreen 30 minutes before you head out into the sun. Applying the sunscreen beforehand ensures that you are adequately protected and helps you avoid the sun’s harmful rays and prevent sunburns. It is important that you apply sunscreen, your skin is more sensitive when you are pregnant and you can burn easier.
- Stay Indoors – Do stay indoors and avoid the heat as much as possible when the mercury gets over 90 degrees outside. The higher temperatures not only can make you overheat easily but it might also be harder to breathe outside. Watch your local news for information on days when you should limit outdoor activities. For example, extreme heat or pollution watch days.
- Running Errands – You should try to run your errands in the early morning or late evening to avoid getting overheated during the daytime hours when temperatures are hotter. Do limit outdoor activities between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, when temperatures are the hottest and when the sun rays are the most harmful.
- Edema – In the summertime, you will probably notice that you are swelling more. It is important that you drink plenty of water and put your feet up often to help minimize the symptoms of swelling. Also, try to limit your salt intake. Salt makes your body retain water and can increase your symptoms of edema.
- Ask for Help – When you are pregnant, it is important that you ask for help if you are feeling tired, dizzy, or light-headed. Being pregnant causes you to get tired easier but adding the extremely hot temperatures can cause you to overheat easier when doing simple tasks such as cooking or cleaning. Don’t feel guilty for asking for help. Do ask family and friends to help you as much as possible and if they are unable to help you might considering hiring someone to assist you with household chores, yard work, ect.
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How did you stay cool during the summer while pregnant?
