How to stay cool when pregnant in the summer
Being pregnant in the summer can be tough work! Especially if you are in your final trimester and it’s particuarly hot outside.
This is why I’m sharing my top tips on how to stay cool when pregnant in the summer. I hope these help!
Tips for when pregnant in the summer
While the U.K. is not known for it’s blistering hot summers, we do usually have warm weather in June, July and August and occasionally get spells of extreme heat too. When that does come, it’s not great news if you're expecting a baby.
When pregnant, your body temperature is already more elevated than normal due to all the changes that are happening in your body, so you may find that the summer weather only makes things more difficult for you.
Plus, you may already be experiencing conditions like swollen hands and ankles or be struggling to sleep at night, which can be exasperated by the summer heat.
All in all, it can be a challenging time! I feel for you, I really do!
What to do if you’re struggling to keep cool while pregnant
To stay cool during pregnancy, follow these simple tips:
1. Avoid the heat whenever possible
If you’re feeling the effects of the heat, then it makes sense to try and avoid being exposed to the direct sunlight.
Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors and aim to make your home as cool as possible by keeping the warm air out - close the curtains and blinds, and if it’s really hot don’t open the windows as that will let warmer air in!
If you are outdoors, stay in the shade, wear a high-factor suncream and wear a hat to protect you and keep the sun off your face.
2. Stay hydrated
You’ll already know that it’s essential to drink plenty of water when you’re pregnant, and this is all the more important when you’re pregnant in the warm summer months.
Try to always have a bottle of water to hand and sip from it regularly, and always take it with you on any journeys you’ll be taking so you’re never caught out without a drink.
If you’re feeling thirsty, this is a sign that your body is already dehydrated, so aim to drink often to keep those water levels topped up.
Caffeine can make dehydration worse, so try to cut back on tea and coffee and stick to caffeine-free alternatives.
3. Watch out for swelling of your hands and feet
Swelling is a common reaction to heat, and is also a symptom of pregnancy, so wear shoes a size larger or, better still, slip off your footwear whenever you can!
A great tip for keeping cool in pregnancy is to put your feet and hands into cool water. This is soothing and can quickly cool you down.
If you already have children and have a paddling pool in your garden at home have a refreshing dip, or place your feet in a bucket of cool (not cold) water or run the tap over your wrists for instant refreshment.
Also, remove rings from your fingers and bracelets from your wrists if they are tight and are feeling uncomfortable.
4. Wear loose-fitting clothing in breathable fabrics
The heat of the summer is the time when you’ll want to wear nothing but breathable, comfortable clothing.
Choose cotton underwear, light and floaty maternity dresses and loose-fitting linen trousers to stay cool in the heat while pregnant. Do also invest in a maternity bathing suit so you can strip right down to a single layer when appropraite – there are so many lovely ones on the market these days!
Light coloured clothing is generally advisable too as dark colours will absorb the heat and make you feel even hotter.
5. Carry a hand-held fan in your handbag
For those times when you’re on the go and it’s very hot, with no breeze to cool you down, it’s a good idea to have a handbag sized fan to hand so that you can always get some respite from the heat.
There are many small and affordable electic fans on the market, like this, which are portable and ideal for carrying arond with you. Alternatively use a peice of paper, a magazine or whatever you have to hand to create breeze yourself!
It’s important to keep cool while pregnant, so always take your hand-held fan with you and, if it’s a rechargeable one, remember to charge it up at night.
6. Seek help if you feel unwell in the heat
Always be sure to seek medical attention if you’re suffering with the heat and are worried about your health or that of the baby.
As always throughout pregnancy, listen to your body and report any changes that are worrying you.
Tips for pregnant ladies struggling in the summer heat
If you’re currently pregnant and trying to keep cool in the heat, then I hope these tips on how to stay cool when pregnant have helped.
If you’ve got another way of keeping cool while pregnant that you feel I should add to my list, comment below. I look forward to your suggestions!
Andrea
