Summer and pregnancy are things that usually do not go well together. If you are in your third trimester, it could be especially hard to beat the heat and stay comfortable. There are things that you need to be mindful of in order to prevent, heat exhaustion, dehydration and swelling. Here the top five essential tips that will help you get through summer this year.
- Water
In pregnancy you should generally be drinking a lot more water, 10 cups (2.5 Liters) of water is what is recommended on a daily basis without adding summer heat to it. During the summer it is also recommended that you add an additional 8oz of water to every hour that you are out in the heat.
That can be hard to do, so you can get creative and get your water from things like mango juice or watermelon juice. The easiest way to stay cool and get your water in is use a Hydro Flask or one similar. This keeps your water hot or cold for up to 24hrs. You can put ice in it to carry around with you throughout the day to make sure you are drinking enough. You can add things to the water such as blueberries to flavor it if you need to mix it up.
- Pregnancy Swelling
It is fairly common to have pregnancy swelling in general, but it can be even worse in the summer because the heat causes your body to retain water to balance the temperature. If you do have any sort of swelling, notice where it is first. If you have swelling in your face and hands, then you could have a condition called preeclampsia and you will need to see your healthcare provider. The regular swelling that I am talking about here is most common in the lower extremities, such as your feet and ankle area.
The main thing that you can do it to elevate your legs. Make sure that you are elevating your legs above the heart so there is circulation flowing. Just prop your legs on the couch and put your feet up on a pillow for elevation, then take that well deserved mama break!
You can also use a cold compress on your ankles while they are propped up in order to reduce the swelling. If you like to use essential oils, then dip a washcloth in water with equal amount Lemon Essential Oil and Lavender Essential Oil (about 3 drops each) and put the wash cloth in a freezer for a few minutes. Use this frozen wash cloth on your ankle area while your feet are on the pillow for addition swelling relief.
- Overheating
Overheating is something to look out for, especially in the extreme summer heat. It may cause pregnant mamas a lot of discomfort. The good news is that during the summer time, most likely there will be some sort of water activity around. You can go swimming in the pool, or even go to a gym that has a pool. The water is such a great relief, helping the whole weight of the pregnancy disappear. If you do not have a pool around your home, there is also a kiddy pool you can buy if only just to dip your feet into. The kiddy pool is an added bonus if you have kids already, they will love it as well.
- Cool, Loose Fitting Clothing
If you wear tight clothes, it not only will constrict your blood flow, but also will feel uncomfortable. During the last months of pregnancy especially, pregnant women seem to be overheated as it is. If you add constricting clothing to it, then mixed with sweat, will not be a good combination.
Try wearing dresses that are loose to see if that will help you stay cool. You can also get some skirts that have a stretchy waist band that are relatively cheap online nowadays which can go over the belly. When choosing a color to wear, some light colors that do not attract the sun will also help you stay cool.
- Pregnancy Exhaustion/Fatigue
Pregnancy fatigue, and exhaustion is common in the 1st and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. If you need to take a break, you can go to the movies or have a movie day inside where there is AC. Sometimes propping your feet up on the pillow and and watching a movie is all you need. Take naps if you need to, or simply rest in the shade and read your favorite book.
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Much love,
Krystina
