Read our ideas for keeping you and your baby cool when you’re pregnant and the temperature is really soaring outside…
Being pregnant in hot weather can be uncomfortable or worse. Heatwaves and high temperatures can put you at risk of dangers like dehydration and sunstroke. Here we share some tips for keeping cool during pregnancy.
It’s common for women to feel warmer in pregnancy. Although little evidence shows any rise in core body temperature, skin temperature seems to increase during pregnancy.
For some women being pregnant over summer can be a challenge. Hot weather or a heatwave can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and even heatstroke. So it’s important to find ways of keeping cool when pregnant.
Here are our five tips for keeping cool when pregnant this summer.
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to help prevent dehydration – your wee should be a pale clear colour. You will need to increase the amount of water that you drink, as you will sweat more in warmer weather.
Keep a bottle of water with you during the day and drink frequently. At night, keep some water nearby and if you wake up, have a sip even if it means a night-time trip to the toilet. Ensure you drink plenty of water when you exercise in warm weather.
Try to wear light coloured and loose-fitting clothing, as this allows air to circulate close to your skin to help cool you down.
Lightweight, natural fabrics like linen or cotton are better than synthetics, because they can absorb and draw away more dampness from your skin.
When you are out and about, wear a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen to help protect you from the sun’s rays. Try taking a water spray bottle with you to cool you down if it’s really hot.
If you are travelling by public transport, wear a badge to let people know you have a baby on board and a good reason to need a seat. At night, keep bedding to a minimum to avoid overheating.
You might need to adjust your exercise plan while pregnant, particularly if there’s a heatwave. If your body temperature rises too high in the early stages of pregnancy, there are risks as we mention below. So make sure you aren’t over-exerting yourself, particularly in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
It’s best to avoid exercising in a very hot and humid climate until you have acclimatised, which can take a few days. If you like swimming or exercising in water, the water temperature shouldn’t be more than 32°C.
If you are using a hydrotherapy pool, the water temperature should not be above 35°C. Make sure you take your water bottle with you if you are going to an exercise class.
Avoid being in the sun for long periods, as this increases the risk of dehydration. If you do go out and it’s really hot, be prepared – wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat. Otherwise, you could sit in the shade and avoid being in the sun during the warmest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm).
If you feel faint or ill, try to find a cool and shady spot to sit or lie down in and drink plenty of water. Seek medical advice if you continue to feel ill in the heat, or you are worried you might be dehydrated or have heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Try and avoid doing too much when it’s hot, if you can. Pregnancy can be tiring even when it’s cool, so rest often. Ankles, feet and fingers can swell in pregnancy, as your body retains more water than usual. So try to avoid standing for long periods, wear comfy shoes and put your feet up as much as possible.
Try to take it easy for an hour a day with your feet higher than your heart. You could prop yourself up with cushions as you lie on the sofa. Gentle foot exercises during the day may also help reduce swelling in your ankles.
If your body temperature rises above 39.2°C in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, your baby has a slightly increased risk of birth defects. You are not likely to get this hot unless you have a fever or exercise in a very hot and humid climate you aren’t acclimatised to. So remember to take it easy when it’s particularly hot.
Find out more in our hot weather and high body temperature during pregnancy article.
Read up on the best ways of beating the heat when pregnant, from information about high body temperature in pregnancy to refreshing mocktail ideas.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
Read more about heat exhaustion and heat stroke from NHS Choices.
