How Do You Handle Being Pregnant and the Heat?

Updated on April 27, 2011
C.A. asks from Florida, NY
21 answers

Today was our first really hot day. It hit 85. Well I felt very sick to my stomach and got a headache. I know that I should drink alot of water but it's hard cause I am a school bus driver and there is nowhere to pee. LOL! I am just alittle concerned that the 1st day of heat and I felt sick and I am only 4 months along. How do you other mama's handle the heat during pregnancy?
Thank goodness I will be off for the summer but I have a 3 year old that is going to want to be outside playing. I would love to hear any ideas that you have. Thanx!

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for all your advice. I already told my husband before I even read all of your answers that I needed to get one of those spray mist bottles. We already stocked up on popsicles so we are good there. For awhile atleast. We bought some fans last night at Walmart to get us through until it's time for the AC's to go in. I am just very nerveous about the summer. Thank goodness it cooled off after all the thunderstorms rolled through. Before that it was so muggy. We have to get a new pool cause my daughters had so many holes in it that we couldn't fix them all. Trust me I will spend alot of time in that. My bus has fans but it is still so very hot even with all of the windows open. When you stop it only blows hot air around. So it is still tough even with fans.
I loved all of your ideas and will try all of them. Thanx again!

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Lots and lots of showers. I also sat myself in the wading pool a lot when we went swimming. I tried to stay in air conditioning when I could. Going to be going through a summer pregnancy for the third time so I feel for you.

1 mom found this helpful

L.F.

answers from Dallas on

I was at the end of my pregnancy last summer in the texas heat. I ate TONS of watermelon. It seemed to be the only thing that quenched my thirst.

1 mom found this helpful

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

The pool! We went to the pool all summer long! Both my kids were due in September so I was pregnant and hot all summer long! Drink lots of water and at least get your feet, if not your whole body, into the water. You could also eat popsicles like the kids! ;) I would set up a chair in the garage, or right outside of it, while my daugher played on the driveway with balls, chalk, whatever. It gave a little bit of shade and she was still outside having fun. If it's that hot in your bus, you probably won't have to pee much cuz you'll just sweat it out, although since you're pregnant you already pee more than normal, so I don't know how to help you there! Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I would put my feet in ice water!
You might try one of those bandanas you put in the fridge then tie around your neck when you are on the bus or carry a spray bottle to spritz yourself with.

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L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

I live in NC and have been pregnant through two summers, second time was twins. We were lucky enough to have one of those Intex pools they sell at WalMart. It was big enough for me to get in up to my shoulders, allow my son some play space and the filter meant I didn't have to fill it up every time I wanted to use it. Good investment, even if only for one summer.

For on the go, I would carry a spray bottle. Give yourself a spritz when you're feeling overheated. The breeze from the open bus windows will help.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Your question made me immediatly regress to August of 1988 in the chicago area. I was pregnant with my son. It was about the 4th day of 103+ temps. we had no airconditioning. I was 9 months pregnant, huge and so uncomfortable. We did several things that week. My husband bought my daughter one of those little one pc pools that are about 18 inches high with the blue bottom. he filled it with water and my daughter (she was 5 at the time) said mommy come in and play. I DID!!!!!!! I know the neighbors thought I was nuts lol. But it felt so good. my brother in law brought us over a small window air conditioner which we put in our living room. we dragged the mattress from our bedroom in and my husband myself and my daughter all slept in their for about 2 weeks. my father in law felt sorry for me and he and my husband and my dad got us central air installed. It was one of the worst heat waves in the chicagoland history. My son is going to be 23 this year and I don't think we have had heat that bad since that summer.

1 mom found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I CAN SUM IT UP WITH 2 WORD SENTENCES, SWIM SUIT AND KIDDIE POOL. If you dont have one or either. go run if you must. I would fill it in the Morning and then as the day gets warmer...just go sit! My heart goes out to anyone who is prego in severe heat...It is just miserable!

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

My son was born in July. Daughter in June. We live in the deep south where the humidity is worse than the temperature.

I lived on watermelon, popsicles, and ice-es.

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J.R.

answers from Sacramento on

with all 3 of mine I was prego during summer, 1 end of June, 1 Sept and last 1 Aug 30, was pretty tough as the weather here gets way over 110 easily, anyways, I drank a lot of water, got a small blowup pool (when I didn't have a built in) and sat in that as much as possible. Of course when it was just way to hot I stayed inside, but with your occupation, I would get one of those rice filled things that you can freeze and wear it around your neck, also get a spray bottle, fill it with ice water and spritz whenever needed, do you have an area on the dash where you can have a fan? if so get one...

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

We have those bean filled cloth things that you put in the freezer. Could you keep a couple in an insulated bag? You could put them on your legs while you drive the bus. I think 85 here with humidity is way worse than 110 in the dry climate states. I could tolerate nevada in the summer when we went to vegas. Here in pa we are like you. Sticky, humid and awful! In the summer i would get a pool like that other moms said. They have intex easy set in all sizes. They even tiny ones that dont require a filter.

Hope you find a way to stay cool. I think we are cooling off temp wise for a little while. Boy was the last 2 days a reminder of summer. I am still sticky and it is almost 9pm!

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

Drink your water and wear Depends if need be. Hey do what you need to do.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I drank ice water or cool water. You can also get one of those neck things. Get two. Put one on ice in a small cooler next to you and trade when it gets warm. They sell them for campers. They have gel in them to stay cool.

I spent time at the pool. If I had a small child, I would sit in the wading pool with him/her. Even just your feet in cool water will feel nice.

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R.C.

answers from Chicago on

Not very well, to answer your question. I did get one of those fans that misted water and that helped, some.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

OMG, I just survive!! I am now 11 wks along and man, here in TX baby it's already hot! I am just gettin' through! My first was a July baby and I worked in sales so I was out in the heat a lot at construction sites etc, it was rough. The main thing will be to be good to yourself while not working. Rest, don't stress too much on the house etc. Do stay hydrated, just pee right before you go out on route!! I have seem some bus drivers with a little fan attached somewhere around the windshield area, maybe that would help? My dr allows Tylenol so that can help with a headache of course after the fact. Now this is such a weird suggestion, but you know they make these gel packs for when you are nursing that you can pop in the fridge/freezer or in the microwave, whichever helps at the moment. You could get some and pop in the fridge at night and slip them in your bra before you go out. I know, weird, but hey, it could help! They aren't noticeable under clothing. Playtex makes them, so maybe check it out! Good luck, I feel you!

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R.L.

answers from Roanoke on

I'm going to be living through pregnancy this summer, so I'm glad you asked this question!! The suggestions you got so far are great. We have window units in our 95 year old house, so I'm going to be making sure I turn on the air and fans in the rooms I will be in most of the time. Also, putting your pillow case in the freezer for about an hour before bed has worked for me in the past--it at least allows you to fall asleep cool. Also, I plan to be clothing-less as much as possible, LOL.

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R.J.

answers from New York on

I agree with the other moms' suggestions for keeping cool. As far as your 3 year old goes, can you get a mother's helper? I was in my 3rd semester last summer and i had a very active 2 year old. I got a teenage girl in my neighborhood to come by 3 days a week for 2.5 hours to play with my daughter outside. They went to park down the block or just played "soccer" in the back yard. It was great and my daughter loved her play friend : ) I payed her $7/hr. Hope this helps.

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

When I was pregnant during the summer months, I literally sat in front of the air conditioner. I know it's not practical, but I had to or else I felt like throwing up (I had morning sickness the whole time). I also drank a ton of ICE water. It had to be filled to the top with ice (I really liked Sonic's Ice, cause you could make it slushy)....again not practical for you, but I had to.
We've already had days in the 90's and it's just the beginning, I am dreading July/August!
Sorry I really have nothing to offer, I definately feel for you though. Hang in there!

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K.J.

answers from New York on

Hi C.,
I was really sick in the beginning (heat or no heat) lol. I had a neighbor that was 12 at the time. I would pay her to come over and play with my first son so I could take it easy. I wouldn't pay her a lot because I was still there, helping with bath rooming, lunch, and taking care of other stuff but she would do the running around :o) I agree with kiddie pool, popsicle idea too :o)

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I was 8 & 9 mo pregnant and double my normal body weight in 90-100 degree heat. Ugh. I took 5-6 cold showers a day, NEVER dried my hair (natural air conditioning) stayed in the water ($20 splash pool I put on the deck of my apt) as much as possible. If I'd been thinking I would have worn a rash guard kept wet under my clothes. Those can stay wet for an hour or more at a time under a loose cotton shirt, and the evaporation (like wet hair) is natural air conditioning.

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I had both my kids in summer- one on August 28 and one on Sept 1. Both summers were two of the hottest on record here in NC. Get you one of those clip on fans for when you are driving. Also, do not wear maternity clothes with the tummy panel. Just buy something low rise, or wear a sundress. Also, when I didn't have to go out in public, I went commando. Underwear made me all sweaty, and it's amazing how much cooler you feel not wearing any! LOL

M.M.

answers from Tucson on

This made me laugh. 85 degrees is heaven. I live in Tucson AZ and have had 2 babies born in August and October, so I've gone through the 110 degree days very pregnant. Drink lots of water and play in the water. I love the pool. Even got a big one i would fit in with the kids for the back yard. I stayed in the AC as much as possible.

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