According to a folk saying, "A pregnant woman during the three dog days has a furnace in her belly." The hot summer is undoubtedly a challenge for expectant mothers. During pregnancy, due to increased metabolism, pregnant women generate more heat than usual, causing their body temperature to rise by about 0.5℃. Therefore, pregnant women are more sensitive to heat in the summer. So, how can pregnant women cool off in the hot summer? What precautions should be taken? How to prevent common skin problems and other summer-related illnesses... In fact, summer is not as difficult for expectant mothers as imagined. With some protection knowledge, expectant mothers and their babies can have a comfortable and safe summer.
1. Try to minimize outdoor activities during the hot summer. When going out, use an umbrella and apply some sunscreen.
The sun's ultraviolet rays are very strong in the summer, and excessive sun exposure is harmful to the baby in the womb. Therefore, it is best to stay indoors as much as possible.
2. Take frequent showers, but avoid soaking in a bathtub or taking hot baths.
Pregnant women tend to sweat more, especially in the summer, so taking frequent showers is beneficial. However, some pregnant women may find it tiring to stand for a long time due to their heavy bodies, so they opt for sitting baths to reduce fatigue. However, this bathing method is very harmful to pregnant women and can even lead to premature birth. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to give up sitting baths and avoid public bathhouses for the sake of their health.
3. Be cautious about catching a cold.
Due to pregnancy reactions, the body's resistance is lowered, making pregnant women more susceptible to colds, especially in the summer. Worried about the adverse effects of medication and colds on the fetus, pregnant women often hesitate to seek treatment. In general, for mild colds characterized by sneezing, runny nose, and mild cough, no special treatment is needed. Just rest and drink plenty of water, and most will recover quickly. If necessary, over-the-counter Chinese herbal medicines such as Yinqiao Jiedu tablets, Banlangen oral solution, and cold remedy have good effects. If the cold is severe and pregnant women experience severe coughing, chest tightness, fever, etc., they should seek medical treatment promptly. Pregnant women should avoid taking aspirin tablets when they have a cold and fever, as it can cause skeletal, vascular, and renal abnormalities in the fetus. It can also prolong pregnancy, reduce newborn weight, and cause bleeding in the eyes, skin, and urine. Anti-inflammatory drugs and similar medications should also be avoided by pregnant women.
4. Pregnant women can swim moderately. Whether pregnant women can swim or not depends on their physical condition. It is certain that moderate exercise can benefit expectant mothers.
5. Eat foods with bitter taste, but avoid bitter gourd. In the scorching summer, appetite may decrease, so eating bitter foods can improve this condition. Bitter taste not only stimulates the taste buds of expectant mothers, increases their appetite, but also promotes gastrointestinal motility, which is beneficial for digestion. Bitter foods also have the effects of diuresis, heat relief, and detoxification. Celery contains rich vitamin B2 and carotene, while bitter buckwheat contains a large amount of protein, fat, and nutrients such as vitamin B2. These foods can relieve heat, stimulate appetite, and invigorate the spleen. However, pregnant women should not eat bitter gourd because the quinine in bitter gourd can stimulate uterine contractions and cause miscarriage.
