Surviving and Thriving a Pregnant Summer (and a little bit on climate change)
In the summer of 2006 I was in my third trimester with baby Charlotte and living in South Carolina. We were near Charleston in a small town in Berkeley County and it was oppressively hot.
Out of curiosity today I looked up the weather reports from that time. The South Carolina State Climatology Office published a summary of weather trends by month for that year. The report says "South Carolina baked the first week of August." A nearby Berkeley County town apparently reported 103 degrees on August 3. The report indicates that tropical storms followed not too long after that, which is typical for the region that time of year. Charlotte (who now goes by Caedyn) was born on September 21.
I remember intense fatigue -- more so than with Juliana who was born on New Year's Eve. I became dizzy immediately anytime I walked outside (to be fair, I've never been great with heat so that's not so out of the ordinary). The heat and humidity formed a solid wall, and I had to face that impact anytime I opened the front door. I also remember feeling so heavy it was hard to move, and becoming exhausted just walking across the front yard.
I'm going to cover three major areas in this blog post. One is a focus on the individual impacts of heat and how pregnant people can stay cool and enjoy summer. The second is a little bit of a warning around symptoms to look out for -- that let you know the heat is making you sick if you're pregnant. I'm then going to shift to some more complex and systemic troubles surrounding global warming and its impact on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
For women and birthing people who are pregnant in the summer -- especially in the third trimester -- it takes some extra work to stay comfortable.
Hydration becomes even more important. Constantly sipping on water or an electrolyte beverage might become a pregnant mom's best friend. A Mayo Clinic article written by a Wisconsin CNM recommends consuming at least 64 oz of water and more if you're exerting yourself or exposed to high heat.
Staying cool is key because pregnant people are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and other health complications from heat. Wearing loose and breathable clothing, staying in the shade, and limiting outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day can help.
An article from Atrium Health written by a North Carolina OB also recommends snacking on water-rich foods such as melon, cucumber, and strawberries. Feet are more likely to swell and retain water in the heat, so she recommends keeping those feet elevated whenever you can.
Carrying a mini-fan or a spray bottle for cooling mist can also help get you through sweltering days.
A University of Rochester faculty and practicing OB also suggested in an article that water can help: taking a lukewarm shower (not cold) or dipping in a pool (or a lake if you're in Minnesota like I am now) can help cool you down. She also mentions protecting your skin with sunscreen. Pregnancy itself raises your body temperature, and the summer heat boosts this effect.
There are some troublesome aspects of too much heat in pregnancy to be aware of. Heat related illness like heat exhaustion or heat stroke can happen. The articles mentioned above list some symptoms to look out for: fast pulse, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, or confusion. If you are experiencing those issues and you're out in the heat, get into some shade or a cool space and call your midwife or OB.
My mantra is always: "Listen to your body!" It will let you know when you're pushing too hard.
There is concern that global warming will have increasing harmful effects on pregnant people around the world -- and also that those who are economically disadvantaged or engaged in certain types of hot physical, kitchen or outdoor labor will be disproportionately impacted. The National Partnership for Women and Families reports that heatwaves are associated with preterm births, high blood pressure, eclampsia and a number of other concerning health impacts. The Women's Fund Miami-Dade (Florida) also tells us that the dangers of heat are often underestimated but lead to increased hospitalizations. It also reports that heat can make systemic-racism-influenced pregnancy outcomes worse for Black, Latina, Indigenous people and for other communities of color.
A BBC article from July 2024 explores the question of How can we help pregnant women better cope with heat? The authors interview a midwife in the Gambia, who talks about what he's noticed about his pregnant patients who are fieldworkers under intense sun. These patients have more symptoms of heat stress than pregnant women who work in offices, and they come to him with dehydration, headaches, and exhaustion. The article reports on research from around the world that indicates heat is associated with stillbirth and miscarriage, maternal heart disease, and even gestational diabetes. In response, researchers are looking at the effectiveness of heatwave early warning systems -- and guidelines for pregnant women to protect themselves. Other solutions proposed or in practice include community-cooling off points and publicly available drinking fountains and rehydration salts.
For more reading about surviving and thriving in summer while pregnant -- or how global warming requires us to think differently and intervene for the public good -- see these articles below:
Keep Cool: Hot-Weather Tips for Pregnant Women
Hot Weather Hacks: Eight Ways Pregnant Moms Can Beat the Heat
Staying safe in the heat during pregnancy
Higher Temperatures Hurt Moms and Babies
Heat Awareness and Health - Women's Fund Miami Dade
How can we help pregnant women better cope with heat?
Photo Credit: Racool_studio on Freepik
