Looking for summer pregnancy tips to keep your cool? Since 1995, I have begrudgingly identified myself as a Floridian, powering through each and every summer (which is May through October down here in Satan’s armpit). Not only do I live in the tropics, but I have experienced a summer pregnancy (or three) and survived. Along the way I’ve picked up some of the best summer pregnancy survival tips, listed in this post, to help you survive too.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
On This Page
7 Minute Read
↓Avoid the Heat
↓At-Home Activities
↓Go to the Pool
↓Take Cold Showers
↓Dress Appropriately
↓Stay Hydrated
↓Eat Refreshing Snacks
↓Tools to Keep You Cool
The Best Summer Pregnancy Survival Tips
Avoid the Heat
One of the best ways to avoid the strains of a summer pregnancy is to keep away from the heat as much as possible. When I was pregnant with my first I had a desk job, surrounded by frigid cold air conditioning. And honestly, I don’t remember the summer heat being too difficult because of it. Ironically, I even remember needing to thaw out some on my drive home from work because I was so cold. I didn’t complain!
An important summer pregnancy tip is to stay inside near very cold air conditioning. If it’s necessary to come outside, you should have one of two objectives: to go to a store that has air conditioning or go to a pool or other body of water. Exercise indoors, in the pool, or in the early morning or late evening.
TIP: Costco’s walk-in produce refrigerator is a very nice place to hang out and chill. (Pun intended.)
At Home Activities
Having a hard time staying home and keeping cool? Being stuck inside at home can be a downer, but I’ve got an amazing list of 40 at-home activities or hobbies for pregnant people. Whether you’re interested in a book list, watching birth documentaries, making padsicles, or starting a facebook poll about when baby will be born, I’ve got a long list of things to do! I’ve got you!
Go to the Pool
Another way to survive a pregnancy in summer heat is to go to the pool, lake, ocean or other body of water and swim. The pool has a variety of benefits for the pregnant woman.
- First, the pool will cool the body down and keep it cool.
- Second, swimming is so much fun it’ll likely lighten the foulest of moods.
- Third, the water will lift the weight of pregnancy off the body bringing glorious, albeit temporary, relief.
- And fourth, the weightlessness may assist in a more optimal fetal position which can assist in a shorter and less painful birth.
It may seem like a bit of work to get to a pool, and maybe it is, but the payoff is worth it. You can do it!
Take a Cold Shower
A shower is a wonderful alternative to swimming in a pool if it’s not an option, or if you need to cool down fast. A cold shower is refreshing, and will cool a hot pregnant lady down quickly. If you can, get your head wet too. When the head gets wet, it cools the rest of the body off. When the hair gets wet, and stays wet, it helps keep the body cool long after the shower is over.
Dress Appropriately
Another summer pregnancy tip is to dress with minimal clothing with breathable fabrics like cotton. If it’s really hot, long dresses, long skirts and pants will make a summer pregnancy miserable. My best piece of advice is to simply not wear these things.
In fact, in a summer pregnancy the less clothes a pregnant woman wears has an inverse correlation to her happiness. The less clothes, the happier she will be. Try to stick to these summer maternity clothes basics:
- Cotton shorts
- Short, cotton maternity dresses and skirts
- Cotton maternity tank tops
- Cotton maternity sleep bras
- Or just forget about clothes all together and rock a bikini.
- Wear a wide brimmed sun hat to keep the sun off your face, neck, and shoulders
Stay Hydrated
Another important summer pregnancy tip is to stay hydrated, continuously, throughout the day. The key to staying hydrated is planning ahead. Don’t wait until you feel thirst to find a beverage. If you are pregnant you should always be carrying water on your person. Trust me on this!
My favorite tool to staying comfortably hydrated is my Yeti Rambler. Yes, they are large and spendy, but they keep beverages cold which is a must when it’s hot. I can fill my water bottle up with ice water and the next day it will still be icy and cold. How cool is that?
If you don’t want or have a Yeti water bottle, no problem. Get a Stanley, or just find something that works and stick to it. Every morning fill it up and sip on it all day long. It’s important to drink the right amount of water in pregnancy, labor and keep drinking the right amount on into breastfeeding. Create the habit now, and you’ll set yourself up to feeling great and allowing the body to work efficiently.
Other than water, other options are iced red raspberry leaf or peppermint tea. You could even mix the two! If you’re feeling extra crafty, try out my pregnancy tea that you can make yourself. Another fun twist is to try my electrolyte cubes. They’re super easy and fun to crunch on.
Nugget/Crunchy Ice – One of the Best Summer Pregnancy Tips
Many pregnant women also love “the good ice” that’s softer and crunch. This ice is at Chick-Fil-A, Zaxby’s, and Sonic, but you can also buy your own countertop ice machine.
Eat Refreshing Snacks
Another enjoyable way to beat the heat during a summer pregnancy is to have an ample supply of refreshing snacks that are cool and help the body stay hydrated.
I have a few ideas, but I’d love to hear yours too. Leave a comment and let me know what snacks are helpful during a summer pregnancy.
- Watermelon
- Frozen grapes (unfrozen ones work well too)
- Popsicles
- Easy Freezer Smoothie Packs
- Sliced veggie tray with dip (possibly hummus?)
TIP: These snack ideas are perfect for labor too. (The photo below is me, eating some cold watermelon between contractions.)
Tools to Keep You Cool
Still hot? If you’re still overheated and pregnant, this is where we throw all the things at the problem in hopes of a solution. This list will likely come in handy to those who are unfortunately enduring a summer pregnancy with no air conditioning. Head on over here for more summer pregnancy must haves ideas!
Water Bottle with a Misting Fan
If you don’t have a misting fan, find a spray bottle and use it while sitting under or in front of the fan. Heaven.
Yeti Rambler
(this is not a water bottle… it’s the big guns) The Yeti Rambler is big, and sends the message that you’re not messing around. Hydration will be happening.
Rice Packs for the Freezer
The frozen rice packs are perfect for placing on the back of the neck, forehead or chest. If you’re feeling overheated, grab one of these for instant relief. While you’re at it, drink a glass of water at the same time.
Small Kiddie Pool
If pool access isn’t in the cards, the next best thing is a small kiddie pool to, at minimum, dip the toes in the water. If you’re feeling extra fancy, just sit in the shallow water. Make sure to take a picture! Memories!
Cooling Towel
The cooling towel has the same effect as the rice packs, it just
The Best Summer Pregnancy Tips
Just to recap, here are some of the best ways to survive a summer pregnancy.
- Avoid the Heat
- At-Home Activities
- Go to the Pool
- Take Cold Showers
- Dress Appropriately
- Stay Hydrated
- Eat Refreshing Snacks
- Use Tools to Keep You Cool
Leave a comment and let us know your tips, tricks and hacks for rocking a summer pregnancy. Thank you!
Julie
Thursday 23rd of May 2019
Pools are so fantastic for pregnant women! I'd add though, that after getting out of the pool, shower and moisturize right away. The chlorine in the water can make my skin dry and itchy. And when I'm pregnant my skin is more sensitive.
Rosie / Crafty Motherfather
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
Hey Lindsey, I loved swimming when I was pregnant it was what helped me during my summer pregnancy when I just couldn't stop sweating lol. These summer pregnancy tips are amazing and def a must read for those who will be ready to pop in the summer!