Pregnancy can often make women feel overheated – especially in the third trimester. The summer months are often dreaded for expectant moms. When the heat rises, it can turn anyone into a sweaty and sticky mess but for soon-to-be moms, it can make them feel even worse. That is why it is so important to learn different ways to stay cool and beat the heat. Doing things like staying in the air conditioning, staying hydrated, and learning what “cool” foods are can be incredibly beneficial. With summer in session, if you would like to learn how to beat the heat during your pregnancy, please continue reading to find out more ways to stay cool.
10 Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated can help people feel and stay cooler. According to Todaysparents.com, pregnant women should drink at least 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day which can equal out to 2.3 liters a day.
While staying hydrated is essential, it is also important to note that you shouldn’t drink too much water in a day because it can cause something called water intoxication according to Medicalnewstoday.com. But don’t fret, because that is actually quite rare. Dehydration is not a fun thing to go through, so don’t forget to drink your water.
9 Loving The AC
On the really scorching days, sometimes staying inside in the air conditioning is the best thing you could do for you and your unborn baby. You can crank up the AC to the coolest temperature to help keep those pregnancy hot flashes under control. When it is really hot outside if you do not have to go anywhere, stay indoors and enjoy the cool air. There is nothing wrong with loving the air conditioning when you are an expectant mother.
8 Go For A Dip
Break out your bathing suit on hot days and go from a little dip when it is hot outside. Swimming is a great way to cool down, plus, according to Babycentre.co.uk, swimming during pregnancy is actually considered to be safe.
It is also a great way to get in some healthy exercise and it can help alleviate some of the pregnancy body pains and aches. It is safe to say that going for a dip while pregnant has multiple benefits and it is a great way to beat the heat.
7 Avoid Warm Food And Beverages
Sometimes, when it is very hot outside, avoiding all of those hot foods and beverages like soup, coffee, hot tea, and hot meals can often feel like a lifesaver. Eating hot food or drinks can make us feel hotter internally and externally, which during pregnancy can feel almost unbearable. So, perhaps, making cooler things such as salads and sandwiches would be much better. Even if your favorite food is steak and mashed potatoes, save it for the cooler days or after your pregnancy is over.
6 Take Frequent Cool Showers
When the heat is up and you are feeling like a sticky mess, try taking frequent cool showers to help cool off. You don’t have to make the water freezing – unless you want to – but just cool enough that you feel cooled down and refreshed.
According to MSN.com, taking cool showers every day can help you lower your stress levels as well as lower chances of getting or feeling depressed. Plus, it can also help promote better circulation throughout the body.
5 Eat Healthy 'Cool Down' Foods
There are some healthy food options that when eaten can actually make the body feel cooler. Eating things like cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, and even pineapple can help the body feel cooler on those hot days – which is an excellent way to help you stay cool and beat the heat. So, stock up on these healthy goodies during the summer months if you are a soon-to-be mom. Some more foods that can help you beat the heat would be peaches, apples, and leafy greens.
4 Wear Light Colored Cotton Clothing
One thing you want to avoid during the summer months, regardless if you are pregnant or not, would be wearing darker colored clothing such as black, dark blues, or even dark color reds. When pregnant, feeling overheated while out in the sun can be another thing that also feels unendurable.
That is why wearing light-colored cotton clothing can feel the best. Especially if you were to wear tank tops, dresses, or even shorts. They do make some really good looking maternity clothing that would be perfect for summer.
3 Put An Ice Pack Or Cool Towel Around Your Neck
One way to keep cool during those scorching summer months is to simply place an ice pack or cool towel around your neck. You can wet a towel or tea towel and place it in your freezer for a while so that it gets really cold and then once it is cool, you can take it out and use it as make-shift ice pack that that will sit around your neck perfectly.
2 Keep A Water Sprayer Handy
This next way to beat the heat may sound a bit eccentric, but carrying a spray bottle filled with ice water inside it can be a great way to get some temporary relief from the heat.
When you start feeling really hot, all you have to do is take out your water or spray bottle and spritz your face and arms if you need to. It will make it feel a few degrees cooler. And there is nothing wrong with that!
1 Try To Get Out Doors Either Early Or Later On In The Day
If you are pregnant during the summer, a good piece of advice to keep in mind is that you should always either try going out and doing your running around earlier in the day or later on in the day while the sun isn’t at its highest when possible.
It is understandable that this isn’t always feasible and that sometimes you have to go out anytime between noonish and the start of dusk. Staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day may be able to help you beat the heat a little bit