10 Ways to Beat the Heat During Your Summertime Pregnancy
Hey, all you gals with a baby bump! Don’t let soaring temperatures force you underground. Follow these ten tried-and-true summer survival methods to keep you cool Mama!
1. Drink Lots of Water
Water is vital when you’re pregnant during the summer. You should drink more water when you’re pregnant at any time of the year, but it’s even more important when temperatures are hitting 30 Celsius and higher. Keep yourself well-hydrated and your body will tolerate the heat better.
2. Soak in the Pool
Sometimes the only way to survive the heat is to submerge yourself in cool water. Set up a kiddie pool in the back yard and soak in it for hours.
3. Wear a Sundress
For those ridiculously hot days when you’re forced to dress, invest in a light, natural-fabric sundress. If you find one that is comfortable enough, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing anything at all!
4. Put Your Feet Up
To avoid swelling in your legs and ankles and to prevent the veins in your legs from popping out, make a conscious effort to put your feet up regularly throughout the day. Any time you’re sitting down, position yourself so that your legs are elevated.
5. Take Cold Showers
Take as many cold showers or tub soaks as you want to cool your internal temperature a few degrees and you’ll find it much easier to move on with your day.
6. Put Your Hair Up
While your long hair may be beautiful to look at, it certainly isn’t helping you win the battle against the summer heat. Tie your hair back in a ponytail or bun so that none of it is touching your shoulders and back.
7. Sleep Alone
On those nights when temperatures fail to get much lower than 20+ it’s impossible to cool off in your bed. The added body heat from your partner will only make it worse. Your best bet is to sleep separately, either in a spare bedroom or in the basement where the temperature is generally cooler.
8. Wear a Cooling Bandana
Cooling bandanas are an inexpensive way to cool yourself down from the inside out. The bandana pulls the heat from your bloodstream as it rushes past the veins in your neck or forehead. The cool blood circulates throughout your entire body, bringing your temperature down to a more comfortable level.
9. Stay Indoors During Peak Heat
Plan your day so you run your errands before or after the peak heat hours. The hottest time of the day is generally from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, when the sun is high in the sky and hotter than Hades. Try to stay confined to the comfort of air-conditioned environments during these times of the day to avoid exposing yourself to the most intense heat of the day.
10. Seek A/C
If you don’t have air conditioning in your home or at work, seek out places that do. If you know Wednesday is going to be a hot one, save up all of your shopping for that day. The mall and the grocery store will provide you with shelter from the heat, or spend the afternoon at the library or a coffee shop. That way you can get some work done while taking advantage of the luxurious air conditioning.
Since your pregnancy spans 3/4 of a year, you’re bound to experience some hot days. Even if your pregnancy misses the peak summer months, unpredictable weather can bring about unbearably hot days in the spring and fall. Be ready with these heat-busting tactics to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while pregnant.