If you’re feeling warmer than normal in pregnancy, you’re not alone. Many women feel more prone to breaking a sweat while expecting, and there’s a simple reason for it. When pregnant, the body produces an increased amount of blood to support the growing fetus. The higher levels cause the body’s blood vessels to dilate slightly; this brings them closer to the surface of the skin, thereby causing the woman to feel warmer.
While feeling warmer in pregnancy is common, that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. You may find it interferes with your mood, sleeping patterns, and overall ability to enjoy the pregnancy.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cool down, including using a cooling blanket. While it may seem counterintuitive to use a blanket when you’re feeling warm, a cooling blanket can help bring your body’s temperature down while keeping you cozy. Below, we look at the benefits of a cooling blanket in pregnancy.
Can Prevent & Treat Overheating
Since it’s normal to feel hotter than usual in pregnancy, it’s also easier to suffer from heat exhaustion – when the body becomes overheated due to exposure to higher temperatures, high humidity, strenuous physical activity, or a combination of factors.
Mayo Clinic explains the symptoms of heat exhaustion can include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Faintness, dizziness
- Moist skin with goose bumps
If not treated, heat exhaustion can result in heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. It’s important to address these symptoms as soon as they appear. One of the benefits of a cooling blanket is it can quickly help bring your body’s temperature down. If you’re having symptoms of heat exhaustion, lie down in a cool room with a cooling blanket over the top of you.
But a cooling blanket can’t just help with heat exhaustion, it can also prevent it. By helping the body maintain a comfortable temperature, it can stop symptoms of heat exhaustion before they appear and keep you feeling your best, in general.
Improves Your Sleeping Patterns
One of the biggest benefits of a cooling blanket is that it can help you get a better night’s sleep. Many people struggle to sleep without a blanket, but this can be a problem if you’re constantly overheating at night.
Many women experience difficulty sleeping during pregnancy, not just because they’re more prone to feeling warm. Everything from physical discomfort, fluctuating hormones, and prenatal anxiety can disrupt your ability to get a good night’s sleep. But a cooling blanket can promote ultimate comfort, therefore encouraging a better rest for you.
Casper, known for its line of cooling linens, explains that cooling blankets work because they’re made of special fabrics that wick away moisture. This prevents body heat from getting trapped and makes you feel warm and sticky at night. Cooling duvets and mattresses use the same technology to help promote a comfortable body temperature while asleep.
Helps Reduce Prenatal Anxiety
Many people find curling up in a blanket to be a soothing, comforting experience. The pressure of having a blanket physically on you can help the body rest and relax while reducing symptoms of anxiety, such as a quick heartbeat or heavy breathing.
It's normal to experience heightened anxiety in pregnancy. This is due to a variety of factors – fluctuating hormone levels, physical discomfort, fears about parenthood and disrupted sleep.
An easy way to relieve the symptoms of anxiety is to surround yourself with a cozy blanket. But this is obviously a problem if you’re prone to overheating in pregnancy. But with a cooling option, you can experience the benefits of a blanket without getting too warm, making it a win-win situation.
It’s A More Cost-Effective Option
Finally, another benefit of cooling blankets is that they’re often a more cost-effective option than other cooling methods. It’s a one-time investment for which the price doesn’t change depending on how often you do (or don’t) use it. For instance, using an air conditioner can cool down an entire room immediately, but it often comes with a higher energy bill – especially if you want to keep it on all night.
Additionally, cooling blankets are more eco-friendly since they don’t require energy. They’re also noise-free, which can’t be said about fans and air conditioners, giving you even more reason to invest in one. Chances are, you’ll use your cooling blanket well beyond pregnancy.
There’s a variety of cooling blankets on the market, so do research to find one that’s right for you and your needs. For more information on the benefits of cooling blankets as well as other ways to stay cool in pregnancy, we encourage you to speak with your doctor.
Sources: Healthline, Mayo Clinic, Sleep Foundation, Harvard Health, Casper,