It was July 19, 2009. I was beyond hot. I was so hot that I was lying on the floor at my parents house feeling like I could barely breathe. But no one could blame me. I was less than a month from my due date, carrying 30 extra pounds of weight and it was about 90 degrees outside. And my parents were not running there air conditioning.
Having a baby in the summer certainly has its advantages. Recovering while sitting outside in the nice warm sun, the ability to take the baby out without having to cover her in three layers and generally less outbreaks of the flu and other things that can really freak out a new mom. But the biggest downfall of having a baby in the summer–the heat.
There are ways to beat the heat when pregnant:
Maxi dresses
So versatile. I bought a few of them in a little larger size at Target and wore them all the time. They were flowy. They were loose. They were perfect. It wasn’t to dressy that I couldn’t wear them around the house and they weren’t too casual that I couldn’t wear them to work. Plus, because they weren’t maternity, I was able to wear them after the baby was born too.
Swimming
I was fortunate enough to have access to a pool as often as I needed it. Swimming was more than just a way to cool down. The water helped my aching joints and sore muscles. I was able to move and stretch and just feel better.
Exercise Class
I know, I know. Workouts generally induce sweat, which is what we are trying to avoid, but it actually helped me keep moving and feel better in my ever-expanding body. I signed up for a class through my local hospital. We did some aerobics and some stretching. I felt like I was in better shape than my first pregnancy and able to do more and tolerate more as the weeks went on.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
This is a no-brainer. I’m sure every pregnant woman has heard these words of wisdom. I mean, you’re going to pee a million times anyway, so you might as well drink water. It helps flush out toxins, it helps reduce swelling and it helps keep you cool. Add some frozen lemon wedges for a tasty treat.
Shakes
When all else fails and you just can’t stay cool, throw a few scoops of ice cream and some milk into a blender, mix and enjoy! Just don’t enjoy too many or you’ll be working it off after the baby is born!
