Being pregnant can be pretty uncomfortable.  Additional weight gain, crowded organs, body aches, swelling, joint pain, exhaustion and more can mean feel simply annoying to downright horrible depending on the person and the pregnancy.  Often these discomforts are magnified when someone is pregnant in the hot summer months.  Childbirth educators and other perinatal professionals working with families who are pregnant in the heat of the summer can share some of these tips and tricks for staying cool, hydrated and comfortable when it is baking hot on the outside and a small human is cooking on the inside.

Here are five great tips to help beat the heat and stay comfortable during a summer pregnancy:

1. Eat and drink hydrating foods

The New York Times just compiled a list of foods that go the distance in terms of providing great hydration.  Fruits and vegetables, including a variety of melons, cucumbers and summer seasonal fruits can make staying hydrated easy and taste great.  There was a great reminder that savory foods can also work just as well, if the sweet is overwhelming for the pregnant person.

2. Wear all the “cool” clothes

Natural fibers such as cotton and linen can go a long way to keeping a pregnant body cool.  Giving Birth with Confidence’s recent post “Are You Wearing the Right Fabrics to Stay Cool in Pregnancy?” can offer some guidance on making smart choices that help pregnant people beat the heat.  Don't forget the hat!

3. Don’t just drink the water, get IN the water

Finding a pool, ocean, lake, or river to soak in can really help someone escape from the heat.  As an added bonus, hanging out in the deeper water can help ease swelling in the lower legs by pushing all that fluid back into the rest of the body.  Just remind folks to use sunscreen and observe water safety rules.

4. Compression socks for the win

Another great tip is to throw on a pair of quality compression socks to help reduce swelling in ankles, calves and feet.  Today’s compression socks are fashionable, affordable and easier to put on than the thick old attractive ones that grandma used to use.

5. Keep the house cool

It is helpful to keep window coverings on areas of the home that get baked in the sun, and move air from cooler parts of the house to the warmer areas by means of a fan, if air conditioning is not available.  Sleep on microfiber or satiny type sheets to remain cool at night, and consider misting the bed with some cool water before climbing in.

Here are some additional great Lamaze resources available to share with families in your classes who are trying to cope with their pregnancies in the summer.

• Beat the Heat & Have Fun in the Sun: How to Enjoy the Summer While You’re Pregnant
• Heading into Summer in Your Third Trimester
• Eat in Season this Summer during Your Pregnancy
• Surviving Your Third Trimester in the Summer
• Swelling the Third Trimester: What’s Normal, When to Worry, and What to Do?

What are your favorite tips for pregnant people who are struggling with the heat of summer during their pregnancies?  Drop them in the comments below.

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