Get your swim on!
Swimming is one of the best–and safest–ways to get exercise during pregnancy. According to Moreland OBGYN: “Water supports your body weight and helps keep you cool in the summer heat.” Swimming can also welcome relief to common aches and pains of pregnancy. Not only are you getting exercise, you’re also giving your pregnant body some serious love! So if you don’t already have access to a swimming pool this summer, ask a friend with a pool for an invite; join your local town pool or check out the new app Swimply, which acts like an Airbnb for swimming pools and allows you to rent a local pool by the hour or day.
Practice Safe Sun During Pregnancy
Pregnancy skin is a tricky thing. The last thing you want to do is add unprotected UV exposure into the mix. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 at all times when spending time outdoors. Dr. Micah Garb, Medical Director of Women’s Health Services at Northwestern Medical Group advises pregnant women to take caution when spending time in the sun. He says sun exposure has been linked to decreased amounts of folic acid, an important part of baby’s development and growth. In addition, your skin during pregnancy is particularly sensitive to the sun and you can be more susceptible to sunburn, hives, heat rash and chloasma. If you’re craving a summer glow–sunless tanning creams are the way to go during pregnancy. Stay away from spray tans, as inhaling the fumes are not recommended during pregnancy.
Remove your rings!
Swollen body parts are a common occurrence during pregnancy due to all the additional fluids in your body during this time. Leg and ankle swelling can happen anytime of year when you’re pregnant, but the heat and humidity during the summer months adds a whole other element of swollenness. It’s important to remember to remove your rings during the summer–thanks to the humidity, they can get stuck on fingers and make for a very uncomfortable time trying to take them off.
Stay hydrated
While it’s important for pregnant people to stay hydrated all the time–and not just in the summer–it becomes even more critical to ensure you’re taking in fluids during the hottest months of the year. Follow these tips to stay hydrated during pregnancy:
- Make sure to bring a water bottle with you at all times during the summer.
- A sneaky way to get in extra hydration is through eating fruits and vegetables that have high water content, such as strawberries, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe and lettuce.
- Try drinking coconut water, a beverage that contains natural electrolytes
- Avoid caffeinated or overly-sugary drinks, which can lead to dehydration
Allow for nap time
Growing a baby is hard work! Exhaustion is a common feeling during pregnancy. There’s nothing better than taking a snooze on a summer afternoon–this is especially true when you’re pregnant. Naps may not only give you a much needed stretch of downtime, they can actually be beneficial to your baby! A study from China showed a correlation between afternoon napping in pregnancy and a reduced risk of low birth weight! If you start yawning during the day and feel the need for a snooze, don’t feel guilty and go for it. Making time for naps in the summer and both you and baby will reap the rewards.
Wear light, breathable clothing
Summer is not the time to wear clothes that stick to your body. Find flowy maternity dresses in light fabrics or clothes in moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics to keep cool all summer long.
AC can be your best friend
Don’t be shy about taking in the air conditioning! Whether you’re walking around and need to stop in a store for an A/C break or just want to spend the day relaxing at home–there is no shame in chilling out during pregnancy.
Cool on the go
To keep cool when you’re not soaking in the air conditioning, go to the dollar store and buy a few personal fans to throw in your bags. You could also invest in some cooling towels, the kind that athletes use in the summer, to have in your bag for super-hot days.
Summer-friendly footwear
Cramming your tootsies into heels or pointy shoes is not the way to go in the summer. When you’re pregnant in the summer stick to flat sandals or sneakers to allow your feet ample room to expand with the heat.
Enjoy yourself!
Pregnancy should not mean a summer devoid of all the laid fun you typically have from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In fact, use this time to wear more skin revealing clothes that accentuate your growing belly. Use summer as an excuse to really take it easy and dive into a beach read–or two. Revel in the slower pace and take in your summer of being pregnant and enjoy the calm before the storm.
