Expecting a baby is a special time in life. But it doesn't come without its share of challenges. You're probably already dealing with backaches , frequent urination, and sleep deprivation. To top it all off, the scorching sun and sweltering heat in our country these days can make it even harder to cope.
It's normal to feel hotter than other people during pregnancy. This is because your body temperature naturally rises a little during this time, you gain weight, and your hormones change. It's like a little heater is working inside your body. So let's see how to stay comfortable and safe with your little one during this hot season.
Some simple ways to escape the heat
There are simple, practical solutions to many of the difficulties you may be experiencing during this time. Let's see what they are.
Let's start with clothes.
It's actually an advantage for you to wear slightly bigger, looser clothes during this time.
- Cotton: Wear clothes made from natural fibers like cotton that absorb as much sweat as possible and are breathable. Beautiful, loose-fitting dresses and shalwars are perfect for this time of year.
- Freedom for the feet: It is important to have air in both feet. So wear a pair of comfortable sandals or canvas shoes that are not too tight. But remember, the shoes you wear should provide good support for your feet and absorb shock when you walk.
Be careful about swelling in your legs.
A common problem that many mothers face during pregnancy is swelling in their legs, especially their ankles. The main reason for this is that as your uterus grows, it puts pressure on the main veins that carry blood from your legs to your heart. This slows down blood circulation and causes fluid to accumulate in your legs.
If you think, "Oh, my legs are swelling, so I need to drink less water," you're wrong. It's actually the other way around.
You need to drink plenty of water . This will help flush out the extra salt that causes swelling in your body and help you stay hydrated in the hot weather. What's more, there is a higher risk of developing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) during this time. Drinking plenty of water can also help reduce that risk.
Keep your legs elevated whenever possible. If you are sitting on a chair, prop your legs up on a small stool. This can help control swelling to a great extent.
Exercise is a best friend.
"Can I exercise during this difficult time?" Yes! Exercise is actually a good solution to swollen legs. When you walk or exercise, the muscles in your legs contract, helping to pump the fluids that are trapped there back to the upper body.
- Swimming: Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do during pregnancy. The cooling effect of water is great. Also, when you are in the water, the weight you feel on your body decreases a lot. The pressure on your hips, back, and joints decreases, which provides great relief.
- Avoid risky sports: While swimming is fine, deep-sea sports like ``Scuba diving`` are not recommended at this time. Sudden changes in pressure can cause air bubbles to form in the baby's blood and tissues, causing a dangerous condition called `` decompression sickness.`` Therefore, it is best to talk to your doctor about the exercises you are doing and get permission.
| Problem during pregnancy | Simple things you can do |
|---|---|
| Feeling of excessive heat | Wear light, loose, cotton clothing. Minimize exposure to the sun during the day. |
| Swelling of the legs and ankles | Drink plenty of water. Keep your legs elevated as much as possible. Do light exercise. |
| Sunburn and freckles | Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30+. Wear a hat and sunglasses. |
| Mosquitoes are a nuisance. | Use mosquito nets. Only use a mosquito repellent approved by your doctor. |
Skin and mosquito protection
Let's protect our skin from the sun.
Your skin is very sensitive during pregnancy, so you're more likely to get sunburned. If you're going outside, make sure you wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher .
During this time, some people develop brown spots on their faces. This is also called ``Melasma'' or the "mask of pregnancy". This condition can worsen when exposed to the sun. Therefore, in addition to sunscreen, it is a good idea to wear a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses that protect against UV rays.
Let's be careful of mosquitoes!
Mosquitoes are a big problem during the hot season. We need to be especially careful about mosquito -borne diseases during pregnancy. Like dengue, the `(Zika)` virus is also very dangerous.
If the baby is infected with the Zika virus, it can develop a birth defect called ``microcephaly'' (a baby's head and brain grow small).
Because of this risk, doctors advise pregnant women to completely avoid traveling to countries or areas where the Zika virus is reported .
Also, if your partner has traveled to an area with Zika virus, it is essential to use condoms during sex until the end of pregnancy, because a man can sexually transmit this virus to another person.
In general, protect yourself from mosquitoes, use mosquito nets, and keep your yard clean. If you use mosquito repellents, it is important to ask your doctor which ones are safe for pregnant women.
If you take care of these little things, you and your baby can stay comfortable and safe even during this hot season. If you have any further questions about this, don't be afraid to talk to your family doctor.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to feel hotter during pregnancy. Wear light, cotton clothing.
- To reduce swelling in your legs, drink plenty of water, keep your legs elevated, and do light exercise.
- Swimming is a very suitable and relaxing exercise for this time of year.
- When going out in the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Protect yourself from mosquitoes. Be especially careful about diseases like dengue and Zika. Do not use mosquito repellents that have not been approved by a doctor.
- Talk to your doctor (doctor) if you have any problems or doubts.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න