It’s hot and humid, along with being pregnant. A pure recipe of misery but there are always ways to cope. Heat and humidity, while unpleasant for most people, take a greater toll on pregnant women.
Adelaide Nardone, MD, an ob-gynaecologist in Providence, Rhode Island and medical advisor to the Vagisil Women’s Health Centre, explains that when a woman is pregnant the body temperature is already a bit higher than normal, therefore added heat from the outside temperature is bound to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Pregnant women already have some degree of heat intolerance”, says Nardone, advising moms-to-be to pay attention to heat warnings. If the heat index, that is meaning how hot the temperature feels because of heat and humidity, is in the 90s, that’s a good day to stay indoors as much as possible along with the air conditioner turned on.
A cool damp washcloth applied to the back of the neck, forehead, or the top of the head is also a good way to keep the body temperature down.
If you perspire because of the heat, drinking plenty of water and other fluids would help. Fluids like orange juice, milk, and sports drinks are helpful as they replace electrolytes that go along with sweat. Drinking too much water can be a problem too leading to a condition known as water intoxication. “Over hydration with water can dilute the electrolytes in the body even more, causing fatigue, muscle cramps, and in severe cases even lead to unconsciousness.
Keep Cool
Some uncommon tips that help you keep cool are as follows,
- Swimming helps cool off the body as water flows all over the body. Additionally, it helps to take some weight off your sciatic nerve. Even ocean swimming is also fine keeping in check that you don’t drown in the water.
- Wearing breathable fabrics so you don’t sweat. This will keep the body comfortable and cool and help prevent heat rash that develop under breasts and abdomen, a common problem for pregnant women.
- Keep your legs elevated while sleeping by placing a rolled up towel or blanket under the mattress at the foot of the bed.
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