It's hot. Too HOT. You don't want to do anything except lay in front of the air conditioner and drink cold lemonade. Being outside brings nothing but sticky skin and wet hair. And to add to the heat, your body aches, and your hands and feet are swollen all because you are pregnant.
Pregnancy during the hot summer can be rough. Here are a few tips to make your summer comfortable:
1. Ditch the tennies and find some comfy sandals. "Many flip-flops don't offer any arch support, which you really need now," says Marlene Reid, DPM, a podiatrist who practices in Westmont, Illinois, and is a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. "Pregnancy hormones cause your ligaments and tendons to stretch in preparation for childbirth -- including the ones in your feet -- and you're also carrying a lot more weight than usual. This adds extra pressure on the bottoms of your feet and can cause pain, swelling, flat feet, tendinitis, and even more serious, permanent damage if you don't wear the right shoes." Choose some sandals that have arch support, are comfortable on your ailing feet and most importantly are cute!
2. Drink tons of water! Pregnant women should be drinking at least 6 to eight glasses of water a day, especially during the hot summer months. If you get sick of drinking water all day long, add a lemon slice or a sprig of mint. Eating fruits and veggies like watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber can also help to keep you hydrated.
3. Keep the sunscreen coming. Wearing sunscreen is always important but especially when you are pregnant. "The higher levels of estrogen in your body make you more susceptible to melasma, dark patches of skin that can appear on your face," says Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York University and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation. "Wearing sunscreen is the best way to avoid it, or prevent it from getting worse if you already have some discoloration." An SPF of 50 is recommended.
4. Swim! Swimming is a great way to keep cool and to get a little extra exercise. "Swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day -- and my patients find that the buoyancy of the water really helps relieve pregnancy-related back strain," says Dr. Gregg.
5. Get a hair cut! Short, simple hair cuts are a great way to keep cool and stylish for the summer. After the baby is born it is harder for a lot of moms to keep up with their hair. Short hair can be easy to care for.
Keep cool and comfortable this summer! And make it a great summer!
