How Heat Affects A Summer Pregnancy

A summer pregnancy can cause certain fears and insecurities in many women. They wonder what consequences the high temperatures in summer could have. That is why we want to give you some tips today.

During the summer season, there are more cases of people suffering from dehydration and the well-known heat stroke. This makes the fears all the more powerful when you think about the possibility that this could happen to you.

During each season of the year, it is important to apply specific care so that your body adapts better to the changes of the season. However, this is all the more true during the hottest months of the year. That is why we explain how you can take good care of yourself during a summer pregnancy.

The effects of heat on the body

The human body has an internal temperature between 36.5 and 37.5 Celsius. At this temperature, our organs can function adequately. However, our internal body temperature can rise for various reasons. One is when we subject ourselves to intense external heat.

To dissipate this excess internal heat, the body generates sweat. In addition, an increase in respiratory rate and heart rate also promotes the removal of excess internal heat.

One of the effects when the body temperature reaches 39 to 40 Celsius is weakness and fatigue. These symptoms appear because a signal is sent to the muscles not to work in order not to generate even more heat.

It is when the internal temperature approaches 41 ºCentigrade, this has consequences for the body.

Summer Pregnancies and Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that occur during pregnancy can increase significantly in warm or hot weather. That is why it is important to be aware of this if you are going through a summer pregnancy.

• Tiredness and fatigue. Pregnant women experience more exhaustion due to the effects the hormones generate in the body. The main hormone that generates this effect is progesterone. If there is excessive external heat due to a hot summer, this symptom worsens.

• The appearance or worsening of varicose veins. One of the main changes that the body undergoes during pregnancy is an increase in blood volume. In addition, there is the dilation of the veins and the pressure on the vena cava due to the size of the uterus. All these changes begin to make venous return difficult and often cause a greater build-up of blood in the legs.
• Dizziness or fainting. The changes in the circulatory system also affect how the blood reaches the various organs. Because of this, there are often problems due to drops in blood pressure related to an increased blood volume and the dilated blood vessels.

• dehydration. Pregnant women need more fluids than is normally the case. If there is also external heat, you should increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration and overheating.

Good care during a summer pregnancy

All pregnant women know that they need to change certain habits and behaviors in their daily lives during pregnancy. You should be well aware of the health recommendations for this phase of your life.

During a summer pregnancy, we should pay more attention to the increase in symptoms. For this reason, we need to be more careful and pay more attention to correctly applying health recommendations. It is important to enlist the help of professionals in the field of obstetrics.

• Hydration. Experts recommend drinking more during pregnancy than you did before. A pregnant woman has to drink more than 2 liters per day to meet the increased demand. In addition, you should moisturize your skin daily with natural oils.
• Control of blood pressure. To avoid problems due to hypotension, it is advisable to have your blood pressure measured at different times of the day. If you have low blood pressure, you can drink drinks with caffeine or theine or take broths, which can help raise blood pressure.
• Physical activity. During pregnancy, it is advisable to continue to exercise that promotes both blood circulation and sufficient muscle mobility. To avoid the harmful effects of the heat in the summer, you should perform these activities in the morning between 8 and 9 am during a summer pregnancy. Make sure you are well hydrated beforehand.

• Refresh yourself in the pool, the sea or with lukewarm showers. During pregnancy it is advisable to avoid continuous exposure to heat as much as possible. To do this, it is good to stay in an air-conditioned room when it is very hot or to shower regularly or cool off in the pool or open water.

Conclusion about a summer pregnancy

Avoid sun exposure as much as possible during a summer pregnancy when temperatures are high. It is better to stay somewhere with air conditioning or fans that will help you avoid your body temperature rising.