SUMMARY:
- Eat "wet"
- Drink without counting
- 7 tips to relieve swollen legs
- Be careful with the summer sun, even at the end of the day
- In the heat, choose cool and light clothing
- Throughout pregnancy, nap as much as you can
Extreme heat is uncomfortable for everyone. Adults or children, our bodies suffer from sweating and high temperatures, not to mention the occasional sunburns. Pregnancy also adds to your body temperature. If you add the usual discomforts of this period, such as heavy legs or disrupted sleep, it can become truly challenging. It’s time to share a few tips to help you better cope with the heat while pregnant!
Eat "wet"
Watermelon, grapes, melon, juicy pears, cucumber, or tomato—summer is the best time to enjoy fruits and vegetables full of water and vitamins. Not only are they good for your health and your baby’s, but also refreshing, they provide some of the hydration you need during summer, require little preparation, and make digestion easier.
Now is the time to imagine your best well-being recipes, beautiful fresh vegetable salads, chilled spreads (fresh bread, cream cheese, fresh cucumber), and colorful veggie bowls.
Don’t forget to carefully wash your vegetables before preparing them, especially if you are not immune to toxoplasmosis.
Drink without counting
Your doctor has probably told you more than once: during pregnancy, it’s ideal to drink about 50 oz. of water per day. In extreme heat or during a heatwave, feel free to drink even more.
The secret to not feeling “stuffed”? Keep a water bottle within reach and sip small amounts all the time. A sip here, a sip there, and you won’t even notice how much you’ve had.
Naturally flavored waters can also help you drink more often. Mint leaves, slices of lemon and orange, kiwi or pineapple—anything is possible. You can even mix them up. For example, try preparing a morning “Detox Water” bottle with raspberries and lime, peaches and blackberries, or oranges and basil.
But pregnancy also means you may need to urinate more frequently. This is due to your uterus putting pressure on your bladder and increased blood flow. To avoid spending your nights in the bathroom, drink more during the day and a bit less at night—but don’t drink less overall. Water, in addition to hydrating both you and your baby, helps prevent constipation and urinary infections.
While you’re awaiting your baby’s arrival, anticipate his or her needs with a newborn baby bottle set and a leakproof training cup. That way, your baby stays well hydrated all summer too.
7 tips to relieve swollen legs
Swollen legs and feet are classic pregnancy issues and can be painful. Standing or sitting for long periods can be the cause, and heat only worsens this “heavy leg” phenomenon.
To help you feel better, walk—barefoot is even better—move, swim, and run your legs under cool water as often as possible. The good old foot bath in a basin of cool water works just as well. When lying down, also remember to elevate your legs (a small pillow slid under the mattress does the trick).
To support your efforts, you can use creams and gels kept in the fridge before applying them to sore areas. Just make sure they’re not contraindicated during pregnancy.
Complement all these tips with a few cups of red vine herbal tea, renowned for its effective effect on circulation.
However, the most effective—if not glamorous—remedy remains compression stockings. Ask your doctor or midwife for a prescription. They may not make you the belle of the dance floor, but they will make you feel light on your feet again.
Be careful with the summer sun, even at the end of the day
Pregnant women under the sun are often affected by the “pregnancy mask” on the face. Though temporary, this skin hyperpigmentation can last for several months after giving birth.
To avoid it, SPF 50 sunscreen is your best ally. You can also wear an oversized hat, which has the added bonus of looking stylish, or stay in the shade during the day (especially between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.).
In the heat, choose cool and light clothing
To better cope with the heat while pregnant, especially in the second and third trimesters, adapt your wardrobe by focusing only on the comfort of natural materials such as cotton or linen, which let your skin breathe and reduce sweating.
As for styles, the empire dress is very feminine, the fitted maternity dress is a must-have, and maternity shorts paired with a tank top are especially practical.
Throughout pregnancy, nap as much as you can
When it’s hot, fatigue is much more noticeable, even with little activity. While pregnant, you should listen to the signals your body is sending you. If your eyes close, you start yawning, or you simply feel the urge to lie down, don’t hesitate.
In peace and coolness, sheltered by your home’s walls, with the blinds closed or the fan blowing, find the best position to sleep and let yourself drift off. During your nap, put aside or delegate any tasks not directly related to your well-being.
On a daily basis, allow yourself ice cream and fresh fruit juices, lukewarm baths and midday showers, and don’t hesitate to ask for a back or foot massage. You are pregnant, you are carrying life. You deserve every attention and above all, to be able to take care of yourself (both of you) as much as you wish.
