The hot, humid months of summer can be especially trying when you’re pregnant. As your belly grows and your body undergoes numerous changes, the added heat can make the days feel unbearable.
To help you navigate your pregnancy throughout the summer, the team at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group offers a variety of resources and recommendations. In this blog, they offer tips on how you can stay calm, cool, and collected as you head toward your delivery date.
There are several ways you can stay proactive about your health and the health of your baby during a summer pregnancy:
During your pregnancy, your nutrition should be a top priority. Excessive heat can reduce your motivation to eat right and cook your own meals.
When it’s too hot outside to eat heavy foods, incorporate a lighter fare into your daily diet. You can find free recipes online for refreshing smoothies and salads that can make it easy to maintain a healthy weight and still provide your growing baby with optimal nutrition.
During any pregnancy, you should drink lots of water to stay hydrated. And when you’re navigating a summer pregnancy, drinking water becomes even more important.
There are great ways to enhance your hydration experience. Add a twist of citrus or other fruits to your water so you can stay hydrated and not get bored with what you’re drinking. Fruits also provide added vitamins that can help your baby grow healthy and strong.
When you’re outdoors, seek areas of shade whenever possible. You can also spend your outdoor time in the pool or by the hose to prevent excessive sweating and discomfort.
Any time spent outside requires a high-quality sunscreen. Be sure to use a sunscreen that has a rating of SPF 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and premature aging of your skin.
You should also invest in a few summer maternity clothing pieces that are comfortable and cool. If you can’t find a lot of shade, cover your arms and legs with lightweight materials and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face.
The hottest part of the day is from 11am-3pm. Whenever possible, plan to spend that part of your day indoors in air conditioning.
This downtime will reduce your risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunburn, all of which can make you feel even more uncomfortable when you’re in your later stages of pregnancy.
If you find that your ankles are swelling more than usual or the summer heat is causing you to feel unwell throughout your pregnancy, check in with your provider at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group.
Our team will ensure that your pregnancy is progressing safely and that heat-related complications aren’t interfering with your health or the health of your baby.
If you have concerns about the pregnancy changes you’re going through this summer, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with the team at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group by booking an appointment online or over the phone.
