Maternity Health

🥵Surviving the heat when pregnant 🥵

When we normally post this - it starts snowing! So hopefully we wont jinx the weather!!!!!

Ladies - we feel for you in the heat of summer... here are some tips for keeping cool...

** Keep Hydrated – hydration is especially important when pregnant – even more so when the weather is hot.
Drink plenty of cold, iced water, which will not only keep you hydrated but will cool you down too. Try to avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks like cola.
If you struggle to drink lots of fluid consider things like ice lollies (sugar free if you can) frozen fruit such as watermelon / grapes / strawberries or using frozen fruit or frozen cucumber in water.

** Avoid Midday sun - going outside at the hottest time of the day is not such a great idea; If you want to go for a walk, to the shops or a local park, choose the early morning and later in the evening as it will be much cooler.

** Cool House – Keep blinds & curtains closed, use a fan if you have one, keep windows open to utilise any breeze…. Dress light – wear as little as possible – just remember to grab a robe / shirt if the doorbell goes – don’t want to shock the Amazon driver!!!!

** Swim / paddle… Going swimming is a great way to get some gentle exercise and keep cool all at the same time. If you cant get to the beach or a pool consider investing in a paddling pool. Even sitting in the garden in the shade with your hot feet in a paddling pool will feel like heaven! It wont be a waste of money as this time next year your baby will probably be using it too!!

** Cool Head… Keeping your head cool can help you feel more comfortable. If you have long hair, wear it up off your face and neck so that cooling breezes can get to your skin more easily.
Cooling sprays on the forehead and back of the neck are also great instant coolers; you don’t need to spend a fortune - use a plant spray container – it works just the same.

** Cool Feet - Getting your feet and hands cooler will help you cool down all over, so put your feet in a bowl or bath of cold water (don’t forget that paddling pool) This will also help to relieve swollen ankles. At night, try spraying your feet with cold water from a plant spray container or wrap a cold cloth around them.

**Holding ice cubes against the pulse points in your wrists is another good tip. Cool showers can also help – take several a day if you need to, then don’t towel off too much, as the evaporating water from your skin can help you cool off more quickly.

** Working – so your boss will probably not let you sit there with a paddling pool under your desk (! shame huh?!) but all the above ideas can still be used.
Putting your hands and wrists under cold water from time to time will help.
If you have a desk fan take in a frozen bottle of water and stand that in front of the fan so the air is cooler – it does work!

** Have you seen the cool mats you can buy for pets? They are filled with cool gel – they will work for you too!! – sit on one or have it behind your back.

**Dress as lightly as you can – loose cotton is best.

If you have any other ideas to share please list them below!!!

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