The weather outside might be frightful but if you’re pregnant during the winter, you may be dreaming of something delightful — the birth of your new baby. While cold weather can be challenging in some ways, there are a number of tips that can help make a winter pregnancy more tolerable.
Winter pregnancy tips
From nausea to back aches and more, each trimester of a woman’s pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges. Add in the seasons with their complications like the cold and ice, and sometimes it can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your pregnancy easier and safe.
Stay active
While it might be tempting to snuggle up in front of a warm fire, it’s important to stay physically active to help keep pregnancy aches and pains at bay. Indoor workouts are a good option, as is walking (with proper footwear to decrease the chance of slipping and falling). Even snowshoeing and cross-country skiing could be possibilities. Avoid anything with a high risk of falling like downhill skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating.
Keep hydrated
It’s easy to remember to drink when the weather is hot, but staying hydrated in the winter is just as important. Between dry cold air outside and overheated houses and stores, it can be a recipe for dehydration.
Get a flu shot
Now more than ever it’s important to get a flu shot to try to stay as healthy as possible. In addition, frequent handwashing, social distancing, and staying away from people who are sick are key components in avoiding illness.
Avoid shoveling snow, hot tubs, and saunas
In addition to avoiding heavy lifting, pregnant women should not shovel snow, as it can cause lower back pain. In addition, do not indulge in hot tubs or saunas during the early part of the pregnancy, as the high heat has the possibility of leading to birth defects.
Moisturize
Some women may experience dry, itchy skin, especially around the belly during pregnancy. Taking warm, but not hot, showers and using a good fragrance-free moisturizer can help.
