When I was pregnant with my little girl, the bulk of my second trimester and the start of my third happened in the summer. And man, was that a rough summer. We lived outside of Washington, DC, and it was so hot and humid. I remember at times closing my eyes and just praying for an hour of relief. As my belly grew, so did my discomfort. And of course, it wasn’t just my midsection giving me problems. With the excess weight and general swelling of pregnancy, the summer heat felt more and more unbearable with every passing day.
And here’s the thing: Because I was pregnant, my go-to summer indulgences for beating the heat (like a cold glass of white wine) were off-limits. It didn’t really matter that ice cream was a welcome treat for my exhausted, over-heated self. I needed more. With each long day of temps in the 90s, I got smarter and smarter about how to manage the heat and make myself as cool and comfortable as possible. Here’s what worked for me. Any pregnancy hacks you’d add?
More for Pregnant Moms:
- Pregnancy Test: How To Take One The Right Way
- 21 Things Only Moms Who Have Been Pregnant in Summer Know
- Gifts Pregnant Moms Will Want to Keep, Instead of Re-Gift
- Pregnancy Week by Week: How Big Is Your Baby This Week?
Pregnancy Hacks for Keeping Cool in the Summer
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Hit the beach in a bikini.
I spent the first several pool days of my pregnant summer hiding under a gauzy cover-up and sweating profusely. I was so uncomfortable with my swelling midsection and growing thighs, I just wanted to keep it all as concealed as possible, especially in the awkward stage before I had a big bump but had lost all tone and shape in the middle. But I was so hot. Then I just said screw it and broke out a two-piece. The less fabric involved, the cooler you'll feel. Also, your more comfy swimwear will probably inspire you to jump into the water like mine did. Unlike one-pieces that you have to keep replacing throughout the summer as your bump grows (or invest in a pricy maternity option), a bikini will just work no matter what's happening between its two pieces.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Place a bag of frozen veggies behind your neck.
Wrap it around your neck, like how you'd position an airplane pillow. It might look ridiculous, but this feels amazing. I liked to use peas or cut broccoli because the pieces are small, so it allows the bag to contour to the exact shape of your neck. Wrap it in a light muslin dish cloth or paper towel to prevent skin irritation and settle in to watch your favorite TV show while those tense neck muscles chill out -- literally.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Freeze all of your snacks.
From grapes (as seen here on the beach feeding my 5-month bump) to candy bars, I threw practically everything in the freezer that summer. I just loved the feeling of ice-cold food cooling me down from within, and as my
morningall-day sickness lasted pretty much the entire pregnancy, frozen fruit and other treats were one of the very few things I could tolerate and keep down.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Take a nap.
Pregnancy is exhausting, and in the summer heat those afternoons can feel so draining. Bang out your chores and errands in the morning so you can nap in the hottest hour of the day. If you're working outside the home, reserve the first hour post-commute for pure relaxation and a pre-dinner snooze fest.
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Go to the movies.
No matter how liberal you are with the AC, public places that really pump it are best when you're pregs. So hightail it to the movies where it's cool, dark, and totally normal if you happen to pass out for a few minutes. Also: Once the baby arrives, you won't see the inside of a movie theater for quite some time, so take advantage now, and make it a date night.
Photo: Getty -
Invest in comfy cotton underwear.
Let's just say there were some unexpected symptoms of pregnancy that (according to my OB) are worse in summer months. The more your crotch can breathe, so to speak, the better you'll feel on even the hottest days. I loved the breathability and belly support of actual maternity undies, a welcome relief after trying to figure out how to make my old underwear work with my new body. I also found that low-rise cotton thongs were a lifesaver on the hottest days when I wanted as little fabric on me as possible -- skimpy underwear doesn't pull if you grow above it! Whatever style you like, just make sure it's cotton because it makes a world of difference, keeping odor and sweat at bay.
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Soothe aching, puffy feet with peppermint spray.
One afternoon during that pregnant summer, even walking a few blocks had sent my feet into an aching, swollen state. I was too miserable to keep going, but luck had it that we were just outside an aromatherapy shop and went in to find a cure. They had a light peppermint spray that I applied directly to my feet and ankles, which felt amazing. You can also just add a couple drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle of water and apply liberally to the bottoms and tops of your feet, and ankles. Try to get them up for a rest as much as possible, too.
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Avoid chafing with baby powder.
Yep, I kept my trusty bottle of Burt's Bees talc-free powder in my purse all summer. Between the water weight and sweltering heat, the chafing was real with my thighs. This was something I'd never experienced before, and man was it rough. One day I broke into a gift basket of baby goods we'd received and patted some powder up and down my inner thighs. Bam! I was hooked and rash-free as a result.
Photo: Amazon -
Go for a drive -- and an icy drive-through.
Windows down or AC on, a great way to cool off is behind the wheel. When I was pregnant, I was working two part-time jobs and moving from one state to another. To say I was stressed would be an understatement, but when I got in my car and drove around for 20 minutes blasting the air conditioning, I always felt better. Also, drive-through Starbucks were basically invented for expectant mamas in desperate need of a venti iced-something -- I got my afternoon decafs almost every day on those drive-arounds.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Treat yourself to some pretty sandals.
Once the temperature rose above 75 at the beginning of summer, my feet were done for. Always a lover of cute shoes, I was pretty horrified to be remanded to Flip-Flopville for the duration of my pregnancy. A girlfriend suggested I pony up the cash and buy myself a pair that wasn't just functional, but fashionable. This was some of the best advice I got that summer -- I absolutely lived in my new shoes (which, by the way, were a size larger than I normally wear), and they made me feel cute everywhere from the beach to the occasional fancy dinner.
Photo: Amazon -
Douse your wrists with cold water.
Speaking of cold, nothing feels as amazing as cool water. If you have the time for a cool bath or shower, hop on in. But I found that even five minutes with my feet and ankles, or hands and wrists, dunked in a bowl of cold water was enough to reset my body and bring on some much-needed relief. Pressed for time? Hold your hands under the faucet so the cold water is running along your wrists where veins are visible; even for a minute this can make a huge difference.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth
