As the summer months quickly approach and temperatures are expected to rise, think about expectant moms who will be feeling the overheating in pregnancy even more than usual! Because of your bump, being pregnant can trigger restless nights, and finding a comfortable place can be difficult! When the temperature rises, you can almost always count on a restless night. Here are some of our favourite ways to stay cool during pregnancy! We hope they will keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.
Stay hydrated.
During the summer, water can be your best friend because it helps control your body temperature. Your body is better able to give off heat when you are hydrated, especially through sweat, which cools the skin as it evaporates. Since it is important to replace water lost during pregnancy, the American Pregnancy Association suggests that pregnant women drink 8 to 12 glasses of water per day, with more if they are going to be doing strenuous activities – in particular, an additional 8-ounce glass for every hour of operation.
Since electrolytes are lost through sweat and are an important part of hydration, eat foods like pickles, olives, bananas, spinach, and sweet potatoes to replenish your electrolytes.
Make homemade popsicles or frozen fruit snacks.
Make your popsicles to relax, enjoy a delicious treat, and get calcium, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Half-fill your popsicle moulds with unsweetened yoghurt and your favourite fruits, then place them in the freezer for about 5 hours. Two common combinations are blueberry yoghurt or strawberry pineapple yoghurt.
If you don’t eat dairy, substitute yoghurt for frozen grapes or watermelon slices for a delicious, nutritious, and relaxing treat. Choose watermelon as the fruit of choice? Avoid popping the seeds as they are high in protein and help control blood pressure and carbohydrate metabolism. These delicious seeds also contain monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega-6 fatty acids.
For exercise, look for a local pool or body of water.
While exercise is an essential part of staying healthy during pregnancy, training in hot weather will put you at risk of overheating in pregnancy. Find a healthy body of water or a local pool to swim in to avoid this danger. Swimming not only makes you feel comfortable, but it also provides gentle exercise for the whole body while increasing circulation, reducing swelling, and reducing stress.
Hot foods and drinks should be avoided.
Since hot foods or drinks, like hot soup or tea, cause the body to emit overheat in pregnancy, it’s best to go for cooler alternatives, such as gazpacho or decaffeinated iced tea. Use your imagination when it comes to food and choose fresh alternatives to your favourite treats.
Peppermint essential oil can be used.
Put 3-5 drops in an essential oil diffuser or mix a drop of peppermint essential oil with a drop of carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, and rub it on your chest and shoulders for cooling, toning and nausea. relieving the effects of peppermint essential oil. Another choice is to soak your feet in a tub of cool water with two drops of peppermint essential oil and 12 cups of Epsom salt. You can also use a washcloth with 1-2 drops of oil on it, soak it in cold water, wring it out, and put it on your forehead.
Hibernate for a while.
Don’t overload yourself by participating in too many outdoor activities when the weather is extremely hot. Allow yourself to relax in a cool space with the curtains drawn, maybe even sleeping for a while. A nap, speaking of a nap, is another great way to cool off because your body temperature drops when you sleep because you are using less energy than when you are awake.
If you experience overheating in pregnancy, take a cool bath, light a candle, listen to soothing music or listen to a meditation recording and enjoy a gentle respite from the summer heat.
Use refreshing and purifying houseplants.
Some plants are good at both cooling and purifying the air in a space. Aloe vera plant, Areca palm, Ficus tree, fern, and snake plant are some of the favourites. Buy a few of your favourites from your local nursery and place them in the rooms where you spend the most time.
Wear loose, light and breathable clothing.
Loose clothing not only prevents the tight cotton from rubbing on your skin (which may or may not be swollen), it also speeds up the evaporation of sweat, allowing your skin to cool down faster. Since lighter colours absorb less heat and linen is one of the more breathable fabrics, light coloured linen clothes are especially refreshing.
Close shades in the morning and open the windows at night
If you don’t have air conditioning, opening the windows at night after the heat has subsided is one of the safest ways to keep your home cool. You can also use fans to draw cool air through or near windows. And, in the morning, close windows and blinds to keep the cold air in and the sun out.
Make a cool sleep sanctuary
Since sleep is one of the most important things a pregnant woman can do, it is essential to create a room that allows you to sleep comfortably. Choose loose cotton, silk or linen pyjamas and bamboo or moisture-wicking sheets for your bed. From there, make sure you have some sort of moving air, like a ceiling or floor fan, and suggest blackout curtains so you don’t wake up to the glare of the sun. Wrap a freezer pack in a pillowcase and place it under your feet if you are very cold.
Lack of sleep and being hot and bothered can cause stress, so why not book a comfort scan with us at Bump2baby? While we can’t help regulate the temperature outside, we can certainly put you at ease with one of the reassuring pregnancy scans.
An analysis of growth and presentation, for example, will put your mind at ease if you are concerned about your baby’s normal growth and well-being during the second half of your pregnancy.
