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Why do I feel hot during Pregnancy?
Is being too hot during pregnancy dangerous?
What can you do to avoid being too hot during pregnancy?
Here are some ideas to keep you cool, help you cope with being and feeling too hot during pregnancy
What Causes Sweating During Pregnancy?
What Can I Do About Excessive Sweating During Pregnancy?
A ‘bun in the oven’ or ‘growing a little human’ are clichés yet they are true. The volume of blood in your body can increase by as much as 50% during pregnancy. To cope with this, your blood vessels dilate slightly and allow the blood to come closer to the surface.1 The energy it takes to move around with the extra weight of the bump can make you hot.
It’s normal to experience hot flushes during pregnancy so there’s no need to panic. Affecting about 1 in 3 pregnant women, hot flushes during pregnancy are very common at night and are usually most felt around your head, neck and chest. 2
Yes, if your body temperature goes above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than 10 minutes, the heat can cause problems for the fetus. Overheating in the first trimester can lead to neural tube defects and miscarriage.3 Later in the pregnancy, it can lead to dehydration, feeling tired and uncomfortable. In extreme cases, overheating can cause heatstroke, which happens when your body can't cool itself anymore. Heatstroke is potentially life-threatening, because it puts a big strain on your major organs.
So avoid the following:
Feeling hotter, may also come with feeling sweatier. Hormonal changes during pregnancy means increased sweating during pregnancy.
Excess sweat is a normal symptom of pregnancy — and the above ideas to keep cool will assist with controlling your internal oven temperature.
Pregnancy can be a moist, bumpy ride. You’ll probably feel extra sweaty in the first trimester, third trimester and postpartum, all periods when you’re experiencing more extreme hormonal swings. You can expect the sweat to gradually decrease as your hormones start to regulate themselves, usually around the time you start ovulating again, a few months post-partum.4
Those raging pregnancy hormones are the culprit! The hormones trigger your body’s sweating reflex — designed to cool you down when the temperature actually is heating up. Other potential causes include a higher than recommended Body Mass Index during pregnancy (so consult with your doctor and try to stick to gaining the recommended amount of weight, eating for 2 is no longer the prescription although you do need some extra calories) as well as the extra weight you are carrying - your baby-to-be who is very comfortable, can make you feel the heat for both of you.
There’s no magic solution when you’re sweating on overdrive — but there are a number of ways to feel more comfortable mentioned above – especially keeping up your intake of H2O – remember “Water Is Life”!
Cold liquids can help your body regulate its temperature. Always keep a bottle of water with you, and drink when you’re thirsty — don't wait until your mouth feels dry. You’ll need to gulp down even more when you’re working out or the weather’s warmer. Water is best, but milk, natural juices, iced herbal tea, fruits and vegetables count as fluids too (just stay away from soda and sweetened drinks to avoid empty calories, which can lead to excess weight gain). Rule of thumb: If your urine is almost white or slightly yellow, it's a good indication you’re hydrated.4
Avoid working out in the heat of the day. Instead, opt for walks in the early morning or evening, sign up for a class in your air-conditioned gym, or take a dip in the pool (bonus: it may also help relieve swelling in your feet and ankles, too).4
Sleep on a towel. It will help absorb excess sweat while you sleep.4
Avoid hot drinks and spicy foods. Especially if they trigger your sweat reflex (plus that extra hot habanero sauce isn’t helping your heartburn, either!).4
Last but not least get a good deodorant! You want to feel fresh, and not block your pores with an anti-perspirant. Pregnancy is a time when many of us take extra precautions from putting unnecessary chemicals into and onto our bodies which is why we absolutely love No-Pong all natural anti odourant!
No Pong is an extremely effective, all-natural deodorant, made from delicious, all-natural ingredients, blended together to create a ridiculously effective, sweat resistant, all day deodorant that does exactly what it says on the tin! Guaranteed to be 100% paraben, aluminium, cruelty and plastic free. With a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Facebook and thousands of happy customers we know you will love it as much as we do…yes, we have tested it under extreme sweat inducing conditions as well as on very sweaty men and it has worked better than the strongest chemical supermarket varieties.
Wishing you a cool pregnancy journey!