Pregnant in the summer « Back to Group Discussions

[springmum]

After this weekend's little heat wave (80's), I realized I don't know much about being pregnant in the summer - lol :)

Is there anything I need to know other than staying hydrated? I'm good about that, so that's okay.

I took DS to the beach today and hung out in the shade for the most part, but it was very hot traveling to the car & back, to the bathroom etc. I realized I also don't really know what "overheated" means - isn't that silly?!

How the heck do you avoid getting overheated in the summer when just walking and getting places leaves you really hot and sweaty - or am I overthinking that, ha ha? I don't think I could ever leave the house without getting overheated.... Is it just that we need to cool off regularly that is important when you get really hot - I don't want to roast this little turkey!

I also learned that even if you stay in the shade, sunscreen is a must! My shoulders got burned just from the few trips to the bathroom and few minutes I was helping DS in the sand!

I'm sure there are some living in much warmer places, so let's share some cool-down tips!

[gozal]

I think it depends on your own internal thermostat, my whole third trimester with DS was June-July-August and it didn't bother me at all. But I am always cold! I suffer during winter instead. I probably did turn on the AC slightly more often while pg (we barely use it - we have ceiling fans). I always carry water with me while preganant, so no change there. I do not use much sunblock on myself or DS (I don't use the chemical kind, and the physical barrier kind is $$$ and gloppy), I just avoid being in direct sun during the middle of the day, and I've never had a problem. So really I think it depends on your own comfort level and common sense! But you knew that already. ;)

[pregnova]

lol, yes, it's HOT! We're in Florida right now...and will be for the next 5 weeks before we move, and it's just awful. I was mostly pregnant during the cooler months with ds...plus we were up north! Now, I feel like I have to force myself outdoors because it's just so awfully hot! 

I also worry about dehydration, so anytime I leave the house...literally EVERY time, I bring two water bottles and make sure to DRINK. Getting dehydrated can lead to some contracting, so I really really try to be careful about that. If we're out for the day, I make sure to pack hydrating snacks as well...like cucumbers and grapes or oranges. Oh, also a big one is to remember to eat even if I don't feel hungry from drinking so much while out!

Other than that, I do try to remember that the heat is already stress enough on my body with this pregnancy and all, so I try to really limit how physical I am when out in the heat of the day. I try to limit too much physical stress and instead just sit and watch ds play, or else relax in the pool or shade. 

I do still do a daily walk, but sometimes I have to shorten it because I'm just too HOT. ugg. I'm looking forward to our move because we'll be further north and more in the mountains!

[Vegan Princess]

I'm not too worried about summer here in the san francisco bay area. Summer here can feel like winter! We have some rare hot hot days, but mostly our nice weather is still high 70s. And we usually get an Indian summer, with October being our best weather. So I'm excited about having a baby then! That said, I was out in the sun for 3 hours at a preschool party w/DD yesterday. Standing a good amount. I didn't really drink much while there. It wasn't all that hot, but it was decently hot in the sun. I was just WIPED when we came home.I even started crying about having to clean up the mess DH made making dinner. I felt silly crying. I knew I was just overtired and hormonol. LOL. But I just wasn't that active yesterday - so it must have been being out in the sun. 

Cindy

[asteph]

I am with ya Pregnova. I may not be in Florida but I make sure I have water with me wherever I go.  I get dehydrated so easily now, especially in the sun.  I was gardening the other day, taking lots of breaks and in 4 hours I had about 40 ounces of water.  I still landed myself a terrible, uncurable dehydration headache that evening.  It sucks because the effect aren't immediate most times (at least for me) so I really have to take things slow and remind myself not to overdo it!

[pregnova]

Oh I know! The water here tastes AWFUL, so we're getting water by the gallons, and no one else seems to really be drinking, but we're easily finishing off a full gallon a day...mostly from me! lol Of course, it means I'm peeing constantly but what else is new! lol