Pregnant mums guide to staying cool in the heat
Pregnancy and the summer heat aren’t a match made in heaven! When you’re pregnant your body temperature rises lightly anyway, so added heat during the summer can make you feel even more hot and bothered. Overheating in pregnancy can dehydrate you and make you feel even more tired, especially if you’re in your third trimester (weeks 29-40). And if you’re in your first trimester (weeks 0-12) it can be potentially harmful to your unborn baby’s development.
Keeping cool in pregnancy is vital. Your midwife will probably advise you to avoid hot tubs, saunas, and sunbathing during your pregnancy.
How the heat can affect your pregnancy
When your body temperature rises your internal temperature control mechanism kicks in to lower it. You’ll sweat more (this is how the body cools itself), which can lead to dehydration, and your veins will dilate (open up), which can lower your blood pressure.
Your circulatory system is already having to work harder than ever to pump the extra blood volume that occurs in pregnancy around your body and any drop in blood pressure means your heart has to pump even harder to force the blood out to your organs and to your baby via the placenta. With all of this going on, you’re likely to feel dizzy and could potentially faint and hurt yourself.
How the heat can affect your baby
Your unborn baby doesn’t have a temperature control system and relies on you keeping cool to keep him cool. There is evidence that if your core body temperature is high it may raise your baby’s risk of neural tube defects such as
spina bifida.
Tips for staying cool during pregnancy
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids will help you stay cool and avoid dehydration due to sweating. It also can help reduce swelling in your hands and feet during the final weeks of pregnancy. Water is best – drink a glass every hour or so, especially if you are outdoors in the heat – but if you prefer something flavoured try spritzing in some fruit juice. Avoid
caffeinated beverages such as coffee, and salty foods, such as chips, as these will stimulate your body to increase urine production, which can exacerbate dehydration.
Apply some ice
Wrap it in a washcloth to use as a cool compress on your brow or the back of your neck, chew ice cubes, or soothe your feet in a bowl of iced water if they’re sore and swollen. Don’t be tempted to take a cold shower or bath though – for all-over-body immersion, tepid is best.
Carry a fan
A small battery-operated fan that fits in your purse will be a lifesaver on hot, humid days, especially if you ride the bus, train or underground to work. Use it in combination with a spray bottle: spray your face and then fan it. You can even buy combination spray/fan bottles with a carrying strap for convenience.
Hang loose
Wear loose-fitting light-coloured clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton and linen, so that air can circulate around your body. Avoid anything tight-fitting around your abdomen as you’ll be susceptible to heat rash. Wear loose-fitting flat shoes also, especially if your feet are prone to swelling up in the heat or as the day progresses.
Don’t bake
Pregnancy hormones make you more susceptible to sunburn and sunlight also can exacerbate any skin patching (chloasma) you may have, so don’t sit out in the sun. It’s especially important to avoid it between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when it’s at its highest in the sky and its burning rays are beating down directly from above you. If you’re outdoors, protect your skin with plenty of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, try to stick to the shade if possible and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck.
Seek medical advice if necessary
If you feel dizzy, faint or excessively thirsty go indoors and lie down if you have been outside in the heat, or seek a shady spot. If drinking fluids doesn’t make you feel better, call your midwife for advice, since some of the symptoms of overheating (dizziness, headache) can also indicate
pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious condition that can affect women, typically in late pregnancy.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 01/07/2009
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