5 Safety Tips for a Summer Pregnancy

It’s summertime and you’re expecting a child. Whether it’s your first or second, third and so on, there are still situations where you are going to feel different because each pregnancy is different. The main thing you want to do is to stay out of the heat if possible and stay hydrated constantly. Drinks lots of water because it’s a good way to flush your system out. Try to keep as cool as possible as well. Summer heat can be hard on pregnant moms because you already feel warmer because you are carrying a child, so your hormones are changing drastically and so are your moods. Try and take good care of your health and if it’s hot out, walk at night when the sun is not so intense. Take your husband or significant other with you on your walk to make sure you are safe. A mother’s tummy is going to keep growing during the summer, and all women at this point feel uncomfortable but here are a few tips to help you through the heat.

Hydrate

It’s difficult getting enough fluid in the summertime, so staying hydrated is very important during your pregnancy. Most people should drink about 10 cups of water a day, however; during summer a person needs 8 ounces of water for every hour you are in the heat. The reason for this is because this is what you are going to sweat out per hour.

Icy Drinks

It’s hot out so you will be constantly thirsty so you might as well look for fun drinks to make. Many companies are now selling mocktails. A company called “Curious Elixirs” offers something similar to Old Fashions and Negronis. They also offer a spicy, floral mocktail for women who don’t want alcohol but like the taste of a cocktail. If you want an alcohol free drink, you can make at home, take some chilled seltzer water, add a splash of lime and mango juice, and this is high in vitamin C and iron. You can also try a homemade popsicle. Take some nonfat yogurt that is used for blending, walnuts, and blueberries and pour this mixture into popsicle molds for a nice sweet taste that is full of water, calcium, omega 3’s, antioxidants and fiber.

Swelling in Summer

Women have quite a bit of problem with edema in summer, and this causes calves, ankles, and feet to swell. You feel like you look bloated and it’s not fun. You can help and reduce the swelling by keeping your legs up whenever you have time. You can even do this at work. There are foot and ankle exercises and stay away from salty foods. Salt causes water retention. If swelling is still continuing to plague you, try chewing on some watercress, celery, citrus fruits or tiny bits of parsley. These are fruits and vegetables that are natural diuretics.

Heat

When you’re pregnant, you always feel hot so if it’s extremely miserably hot out, you’re not going to be happy and people around you understand. That’s why it’s nice to have a baby in March if you plan it that way, so you don’t have to go through the summer months carrying a full term child. Try water and get wet and cool off, so take a raft and lay in the pool. Take a swim as well because this will lower your body temperature, and the extra weight you’re carrying will make you more buoyant, so this will help with the extra stress on your organs that are shrinking by the day. Playing in the pool even walking is a form of low impact aerobics and there is plenty of nice maternity swimsuits out there for you as well. If you don’t have a pool, go to the nearest beach or public pool or turn on the hose and use a kiddie pool and sit in the cold water. Make sure you have your sunscreen on because it’s very safe to use when you’re expecting and also important to use because you are pregnant. The reason is your hormones are going crazy, so the skin becomes sensitive and women get dark brown spots known as the mask of pregnancy if they are out in the sun too much without sunscreen.

Sticky and Sweaty

You’re going to be hot so you might as well find maternity clothes that are lightweight and comfortable for the summer. It’s better to shop for clothes that are loose and lightweight because you won’t overheat and drip sweat between your chest. The most likely places that sweat is under and between your breasts in the summer. Even when the sweat evaporates, you can still get some ugly looking rashes from the heat called heat rash.

Super Boredom

If you can’t stand the heat, stay inside in air conditioning so you are comfortable. You might start getting bored, but here are some ideas to keep you busy. Watch some funny movies about women that are pregnant that you remember growing up. It’s more comfortable and economical to stay at home and watch movies because you don’t have to get into your hot car to go to the theater and you can pause the movie whenever you want and walk around, stretch and go to the bathroom if need be.

All women get those days when they are uncomfortable during pregnancy, especially during the summer months. Try and stay as cool as possible and if you are lucky enough to work at home, practice keeping your feet up if you have some swelling. Join a prenatal yoga class to meet other expectant moms, make some cools drinks on a hot day, go for a swim and keep your body in shape while you are pregnant so your delivery will be much easier.  There are online groups you can reach out to and talk to expectant moms and get some new ideas or join a class in your community. Take a walk through the baby section or go to a baby store and look at the things that interest you when you are expecting your child. All women have felt like you have on certain days, but many women have also felt great because their hormones are in perfect sync and carrying a child is the greatest miracle in the world for a mother.