Being pregnant poses many exciting new changes to your body. Not only do you have a growing bump, but you're on your way to growing your family. The farther your pregnancy progresses, the more your body changes. These changes are especially prominent during summer, especially in the heat.
At Collaborative Women’s Care, Dr. Eduardo Valdes provides OBGYN care to the women in the Miami, Florida community. Dr. Valdes offers expert prenatal care when you’re expecting a baby, and gives you tips to keep you and your unborn baby safe in the heat of the summer months.
Prenatal care starts the moment you find out you’re pregnant. Dr. Valdes and his team provide the highest level of compassionate care and treatment when you’re expecting a new addition.
It’s vital that you keep your scheduled prenatal appointments to keep track of your growing baby, and keep tabs on your health as well. At each of your prenatal appointments, you can expect things like:
Your prenatal visits are also a good time for you to ask any questions that you’d like to know about your health or the baby’s health. Dr. Valdez also gives you tips to keep yourself healthy during the entirety of your pregnancy.
Dr. Valdes addresses any concerns you may have, or any issues that pop up during your pregnancy at your appointments. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or are of advanced maternal age, you may need to come in for more appointments to track your overall health and wellness during your pregnancy.
While prenatal care is very important no matter what time of year you’re pregnant, summer presents a whole other aspect of surviving your pregnancy. The heat mixed with a large belly and swollen ankles isn’t the most comfortable thing to think of.
However, there are ways you can keep comfortable when you’re facing a summer pregnancy. Some of the tips our team advises to keep you and your baby safe in the summer heat include:
You should always be drinking a lot of water during pregnancy, but especially in hot weather. Heat makes you sweat, which means you’re losing that ever important water from your body. Make sure to hydrate as much as possible, especially when outdoors in the summer.
Staying in the harsh summer heat for too long can lead to dehydration and exhaustion if you’re not careful. Make sure to take plenty of breaks in the air conditioning, or find shade under a large tree or umbrella. Keeping cool helps keep you and your unborn baby comfortable.
Keeping your skin protected during pregnancy is just as important as any other time in your life. Make sure to wear a safe SPF sunscreen while out in the summer sun. You could also wear SPF-rated maternity clothing, or invest in a cute summer hat to protect your head and face.
Ankle and foot swelling is common farther along in pregnancy. However, the heat of summer makes this swelling more pronounced, and more uncomfortable. When you’re inside and out of the heat, make sure to prop your feet up to help with any swelling.
When you’re hot and uncomfortable, eating might be the last thing on your mind. However, nutrition is key for both you and your unborn baby. Make sure you’re getting plenty of protein, which can come in many forms, like a protein smoothie.
Being uncomfortable in the summer while you’re pregnant isn’t uncommon. But if you’re noticing other symptoms as well, it’s important to see Dr. Valdes as soon as possible. Some of the signs you need to make an appointment include:
You should also contact Dr. Valdes if you’re having headaches that don’t get better with rest or other lifestyle changes. This could be a sign of a bigger problem, like preeclampsia.
If you’re pregnant and want an expert team to provide you and your baby care, call our office today at 305-200-3878. You can also schedule a consultation using our online booking feature.
