Being pregnant is hard enough, and it becomes even brutal during the hot summer months. Hot sun, high temperatures, heat, and humidity – all these make the situation downright miserable for pregnant women. However, if you have a bunch of helpful tips, navigating through this particular season is not as difficult as it seems. Read on to know how you can stay healthy, comfortable, and stylish during the summer pregnancy.
Tips for a Healthy Summer Pregnancy
#Stay Well-hydrated:-
While staying hydrated during pregnancy is always a great idea, it becomes even more important during the hotter months. Summer heat tends to cause dehydration that may lead to a heat stroke. Nausea, dizziness, dry lips and mouth, overheating, less or yellow-colored urine signal that you are a victim of inadequate hydration. Adequate daily water intake helps:
- Transport nutrition to your baby
- Keep your skin soft
- Flush waste from your system
- Keep your body cool
- Fight constipation and indigestion
- Ease the fatigue and joint pain
So try to drink at least three liters of water every day and even more if you’re exercising. If plain water isn’t your thing, add lemon or mint juice into the rotation to eliminate boredom.
#Go Swimming:-
Swimming is one of the best low-to-no-impact exercises moms-to-be can stick to during the long scorchy summer months. Floating in the cool water not only brings down your body temperature but also relieves pressure from your joints and strengthens your muscles.
If you have access to a nearby pool, make the best use of it. However, be sure to check with your health care provider before you start swimming or any other new physical activity. After swimming, don’t forget to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to keep your skin safe and glowing during hot sunny days.
#Make Healthy Food Choices:-
The appetite commonly decreases in hot weather but maintaining a healthy, nutritious, and well-balanced diet is essential during a summer pregnancy. Remember to include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, greens, sprouted salads in your pregnancy diet to beat the summer heat.
Reduce your sodium intake, as salty foods can make you thirstier and cause swelling and inflammation. Also, avoid spicy foods, excessive oil, ghee, and masalas to ease your summer pregnancy. Popsicles, curd, and buttermilk prove incredibly cooling for pregnant women.
#Nap in the Afternoon:-
Ensuring you get enough sleep during summer pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your unborn baby. Since the afternoon is the hottest time of the day, try to bypass the heat by taking a short lunchtime nap for at least 30 minutes. End it with a glass of fresh juice once you wake up and go for a cold tub bath to combat the heat. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day to stay physically and mentally healthy.
#Keep Your Feet Elevated:-
Pregnancy and swelling go hand in hand, and the summer heat only makes them worse. Take every chance you can to elevate your feet above heart level to reduce the water retention in your legs. You can also try hydrotherapy in a pool/bathtub or placing a cold, damp towel over your legs to make it even better.
Tips for a Comfortable Summer Pregnancy
#Dress for the Heat:-
The key to surviving a summer pregnancy is to wear lightweight and breathable maternity clothing. To stay cool and refreshed, get yourself some loose, flowing maternity dresses, shirts, t-shirts, and shorts made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen. They allow your skin to breathe properly, and you can move around easily when wearing them. Avoid synthetic fabrics such as rayon and polyester, as they can trap the heat that will make you sweat more and cause discomfort.
#Wear Bright Clothes:-
Another tip to maximize comfort during summer pregnancy is to prefer light-colored maternity clothing over dark-colored ones. This is because light colors tend to absorb less of the sun’s hot rays, making pregnant women feel cooler. Therefore, on hot sunny days, select bright clothes such as beige and white to reflect the sun rays, instead of dark ones like black and red.
#Layer Up Your Clothes Smartly:-
If you often move between the comfort of air-conditioning and the pang of direct sun exposure, you need to layer up your clothing smartly. For instance, you can wear kimonos and denim shirts as they’re lightweight, but they can sometimes give you a little bit of warmth. You can have a lot of fun with layers in winter, fall and spring, but wearing layers thoughtlessly during summer can make you sweat like a waterfall.
#Spritz Water Often:-
When you’re stepping outside, make sure you always carry a water-filled spray bottle so you can spritz yourself with water to lower body heat quickly and get some respite from the scorchy weather. Wrapping a wet scarf around your neck can also give you some refreshment as evaporation of water from the cloth helps with heat reduction. If possible, go with a battery-operated squirt bottle to get an effortless, long-lasting refreshment.
#Pick Your Footwear Carefully:-
Your feet tend to swell during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester, so you need to wear some really comfortable footwear to accommodate the swelling. Get yourself a fabulous pair of sneakers and flat lace-up sandals that you can adjust according to your comfort.
Tips for a Stylish Summer Pregnancy
#Show Off Your Sweet Baby Bump:-
Dressing the bump is not always easy, especially when you want to stay comfortable and look stylish at the same time. Summer is a great time to show off your growing bump proudly, and you can effortlessly do it with easy, breezy maternity kaftans. Wear the one with an adjustable tie-waist for a custom fit!
#Accessorize All the Way:-
Accessories are a surefire way to add a touch of elegance and glamour to your outfit. Dig through your collection of handbags, scarves, and jewelry to bring a new life to your silhouette. Try to wear at least one accessory to balance out your overall look.
#Keep Your Hair Off Your Face:-
Your long beautiful hair can start getting in your way and cause excessive sweating during the hot season. So what’s the best way to style your hair in summer pregnancy? Keep it off your face, either by tying it up in a pony or a top-knot bun or by weaving it into braids. That way, your neck will get some good air circulation, and you can totally avoid a bad hair day. You can even go bold with a short hair look!
#Wear a Hat:-
When you are going outdoors, consider sporting a straw hat to reduce sun exposure. A wide-brimmed hat is a cooling addition to your summer maternity wardrobe as it covers your skin, keeps the sun out of your eyes, and protects your head and hair from the intense summer sun. You can also carry an umbrella for extra protection when going outside.
#Wear Sunglasses:-
Finally, remember to wear a good pair of cool sunglasses to add a stylish vibe to your look when going out! Sunglasses protect your eye and surrounding areas from harmful UV rays, wind, and dust and are also a great way to personalize your style.