Being pregnant in the summer is like wearing a fur coat in a sauna while balancing a bowling ball on your bladder. I’m in my third trimester with a 9+lb baby born at the end of June, so I’m basically a certified summer pregnancy survivor. (Anyone who read this in Arizona in August just laughed and I respect that.)
See what worked and what you can skip.
The gear that will save your sweaty pregnant self
A better than average sunscreen. Pregnant skin can have some very strange reactions to the sun, so try not to skip the sunscreen. Kids do a pretty good job of badmouthing us, so don’t add the sun.
A decent bug spray. Mosquitoes treat pregnant women like all-you-can-eat buffets—and they’re not wrong, as you run hotter and exhale more carbon dioxide than usual. DEET is actually considered safe during pregnancy and is recommended by the CDC and ACOG, but some providers recommend being careful with it during the first trimester especially. Here is a full post on insect repellent if you want more details.
A hand fan. Get one of those mini fans or one that also sprays water and take it EVERYWHERE. People will understand. You can also spray strangers who try to touch your belly like a cat eating a houseplant.
A hat for the sun. It doubles as UV protection and a “please don’t talk to me” signal when pulled low enough.
Comfortable sandals. Your feet will expand, swell and generally rebel against regular shoes. I liked the slides because I didn’t have to bend down to put them on or off.
An industrial-sized water bottle. The kind that keeps water cold for hours because lukewarm water is just…not. You’ll need it for pregnancy AND breastfeeding later, so consider it an investment.
A cooling pad. For when you turn into a human oven at 2am. Momcozy also makes a maternity pillow with a cooling cover.
Maternity swimwear. The one that makes you feel like a majestic pregnant mermaid, not a beached whale. There are, I promise.
Hair ties and ribbons. Pregnancy hair grows at Rapunzel speed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last.
The only summer maternity wardrobe you really need
Skip the 27-piece maternity wardrobe “must-haves”. Here’s what I actually wore:
- Plants dresses — basic fancy nightwear that you can wear in public. Bonus if they work later for hospitalization.
- Maternity shorts — at least one pair of jean shorts that don’t look like a jean diaper, plus some stretchy yoga shorts for around the house.
- Tank tops — stock. You will live in them.
- Biker shorts — worn under dresses so your thighs don’t cause friction fire.
That’s all. Four things.
The pool is your new best friend
Swimming while pregnant is basically the only time you’ll feel weightless. Some quick answers:
Is it safe to swim? Yes, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. It is actually one of the best pregnancy exercises. It’s low impact, easy on your joints and really good for you. Just don’t decide to train for the Olympics.
Is chlorine safe? In a well-maintained pool, yes. In fact, research found that women who swam in early and mid-pregnancy had a slightly lower risk of preterm birth compared to those who didn’t exercise.
Heat + Pregnancy = Real Danger
Your body is already working overtime, so getting too hot is something to take seriously. You don’t want your core body temperature to go above 102°F, and pregnancy makes it harder than usual to regulate your temperature. A few ways to avoid turning into human toast:
- Moisturize constantly — yes, it means more trips to the bathroom. Sorry.
- Become a shade lover — look for the shadiest routes wherever you go.
- Stay indoors during peak hours — this window between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is when the sun is most aggressive. If you can avoid it, do.
- Embrace all forms of conditioning — car, home, ceiling fans, hand fans. All of them.
- Treat yourself to cold stuff — popsicles, smoothies, ice cream. It is medicinal and I will not listen otherwise.
- Be naked at home — pull the curtains and release the bulge. You’ve earned it.
Fun things to do when you’re hot and huge
Because you can’t sit in front of the AC for nine months (tempting though):
- Morning walks before the sun gets bad
- Evening walks with your partner — a good time to fight over baby names
- Movies (dark, cold, snacks, bathrooms nearby — pregnant heaven)
- Pool time
- Mini golf (shaded and you can still see your feet)
- A babymoon if you can shake it
- Night drives with the windows down and a milkshake in hand
- All the naps. Then one more.
Summer pregnancy is temporary. And somehow – strangely, inexplicably – one day you’ll find yourself nostalgic for the days when your biggest problem was being sweaty and huge. know. I didn’t think so either.
Next: Bug Spray and Pregnancy: What’s Safe to Use
