Your Summer Pregnancy Survival Guide

The arid, Arizona summers can be quite intense when you’re also dealing with a pregnancy. It isn’t just the issue of carrying extra weight that make the months of June through August so especially daunting, but that you also experience a number of new problems during a pregnancy, ones that summer can intensify.

Dr. Kevin Hooker has over 10 years of experience as an obstetrician and gynecologist, and he, along with the rest of us at Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care, has a few tips for surviving an Arizona summer during your pregnancy.

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is always good advice, but now, with your pregnancy in full swing, it is even more essential during the summer. Your skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, so you become more vulnerable to burns during this time. And trust us, a sunburn during your pregnancy is no picnic! According to Life With My Littles, 30 SPF is a good starting point, and we’d have to agree.  

2. Stay wet

We recommend going to the pool regularly if you have access to one. Pregnant women often find relief with the option of swimming, partly because it brings down your body temperature and partly because it allows for buoyancy, making you feel the weight of the baby less for a little while. It’s also a mild workout that doesn’t put too much stress on your aching joints.

If you don’t have a pool you can regularly go to, try this life hack: put your feet in a bucket of ice-cold water. It will bring your body temperature down almost instantly and feel like such a relief. Oh, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water, no matter what your situation. Staying hydrated is the best way to avoid getting overheated.

3. Dress for success

First of all, avoid wearing anything tight or constricting during these months. We know it’s the style now, but trust us, you’re going to be thanking your lucky stars you’re not strapped into a tight maternity dress when the temperature crawls past 100 degrees! Go for thin, flowy dresses, light-colored clothes, and yes, even a big hat or two. This last addition will be essential to keeping your head cool and your eyes protected from the sun. (Don’t forget those sunglasses too!)

4. Arm yourself

It may sound silly, but carrying around a handheld fan, especially one that mists you with water on command, is a great way to ensure coolness at all times. It’s also important to have these things in your arsenal: a water bottle that keeps your liquids cold, a cooling towel that you can freeze, lip balm, and bug spray.

5. Relax

The summer months will be especially hard on you, so it’s important to relax as much as you can. Put your feet up to avoid swelling, and ask a loved one to help you with the chores around the house, taking care of other children, or looking after pets. If you do have to work outside, try to do so when it’s cooler, such as in the morning or the evening. And, if you’re regularly going to work, remember to take things at a slow, careful pace.

Pregnant during an Arizona summer?

We’ll be more than happy to provide you with additional tips as well as to check up on you and your little one when you visit us at Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care. Just call 928-683-1668 to speak to someone from our office about setting up an appointment, or you can set up your own appointment online. We look forward to meeting you!