With summer in full swing, many expectant mothers are feeling the heat more intensely than ever. Staying cool and comfortable during a heatwave can be challenging, especially when you're pregnant. That's why we've compiled ten essential tips to help you beat the heat and keep your cool. From hydration hacks to smart wardrobe choices, these expert-approved strategies will ensure you stay safe and comfortable throughout the hottest days of the year. Read on to discover how you can enjoy a more refreshing and enjoyable summer pregnancy.
- Wear natural fibres such as cotton, bamboo or silk rather than synthetics, and favour light, loose fitting clothing. Synthetic materials retain moisture and don’t allow your skin to breathe properly which can increase irritation.
- Dry, irritated skin can be very common during pregnancy. As well as choosing natural fabrics, keeping your skin well moisturised will hopefully provide you with some soothing, cooling relief. My Expert Midwife’s Fantastic Skin Elastic is ideal for soothing and hydrating tight, itchy, and stretching skin during pregnancy.
- Although water is essential and should be drunk throughout the day, optimal hydration requires other elements that are found in foods. You can ensure an adequate intake of these by eating fruits and vegetables such as pineapple, mango, grapes, melon, pears, berries, cucumber, courgette, asparagus and dark leafy greens.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and colas, which may have a mildly diuretic effect, disrupting your fluid balance. It’s best to avoid these or look for their decaffeinated version. Dehydration impacts your and your baby’s health, so it is important to keep your drinking bottle topped up.
- Remember to take cooler showers or baths. You could try adding some organic oatmeal to your bath as this has soothing properties for your skin.
- If you are struggling to sleep, you can also use Spritz for Bits by spraying it over your body to cool and calm the skin. It also contains lavender which will naturally help you sleep.
- When outdoors in the heat, staying in the shade will reduce your risk of overheating as well as help prevent the appearance of darker patches of pigmentation that pregnancy hormones can leave on your skin, often on your face. Because of this and the fact that many skins become more sensitive to the sun during pregnancy, a high protection sunscreen is recommended.
- An effective way to cool down is to aim for your pulse points. You can place ice cubes wrapped in a towel or cool, wet flannels over the back of your neck and forehead, run your wrists under a cold tap and/or place your feet ankle-deep into a basin of cool water. If you are out and about, invest in a handheld fan and/or a cooling spray for your face and body.
- Swelling of feet and ankles can be helped by soaking them in cold water, elevating your feet above the level of your heart, stimulating drainage by repeatedly pointing your toes to and away from you (dorsiflexion exercises), by gentle massage and by trying a cooling spray such as Keep Your Cool which can be used all over the body. We developed Keep Your Cool mist specifically to cool, soothe and de-swell swollen ankles and joints.
- Soak For Bits high grade Epsom Salts in a warm bath (or lukewarm if preferred on those really hot days) can help with swelling and relax tired, stressed muscles, whilst giving you a mental boost from the Bergamot and Tea Tree Essential Oils.
