For a lot of women, changing emotions is the most common side effect of pregnancy. It can be really frustrating, exhausting, and even unsettling at times—especially if you haven’t experienced mood swings, or dramatic mood shifts, before pregnancy. 

Even if you were a fairly emotional person before pregnancy, these new and changing emotions can be a bit of a shock. 

What’s Causing These Emotions?

Before we dive into the reason behind your pregnancy emotions, here’s an important reminder: you should not feel guilty or ashamed of your emotions. Heightened emotions during pregnancy are to be expected, regardless of how your emotional state was before getting pregnant. 

There are a lot of factors, both external and internal, that can affect your emotional state. Here are a few possible causes. 

Hormones

One of the most obvious reasons you might feel more emotional during pregnancy is your changing hormones. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you’re experiencing an increase in your body’s production of progesterone or estrogen. This can have a direct effect on your emotions—as well as your brain’s ability to monitor those emotions. 

This is very common, and shouldn’t be any cause for concern!

Stress

For a myriad of different reasons, pregnancy can be very stressful. There’s so much joy and excitement that comes with starting a family, but it also comes with a lot of changes, new things, and some scary things! You’ll no doubt, at some point, find yourself worrying about the future, about money, about medical care, and about plenty of other things. All of this stress can cause your emotions to rise. 

Not to mention, you have a lot to do! You might find yourself neglecting self-care that could help you manage your emotions better. 

Changes In Your Body

Some women experience more physical discomfort than others while pregnant. Your body changes a lot while you’re pregnant, and the types of physical discomfort you could experience is varied. You might have bad morning sickness or terrible aches. 

Body image is a huge factor here as well. You might feel less physically attractive when you look in the mirror and see how your body has changed. Pregnancy brings on a lot of physical changes that all happen very quickly. Any—and all—of these things can impact your mental and physical health, which can add stress and disrupt your “normal” emotions. 

Fatigue

We’ve most likely all been here before—even when we aren’t pregnant. Sleep is extremely important in maintaining a healthy mental state, and when we don’t get enough it’s much easier to feel overwhelmed or like we’re not in control of our emotions. While this is a common problem for pretty much everyone, it’s especially a problem for pregnant women, who often have difficulty sleeping and getting comfortable. 

How to Cope with Pregnancy Emotions

When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You have a lot to worry about! And when your emotional state seems out of control, it’s hard to get that control back. For starters, you should acknowledge your feelings—they are valid. Then, try some of these methods for coping with your pregnancy emotions. 

Self-Care

It’s so important to listen to your body—even if you aren’t sure what it’s telling you! If taking a bubble bath sounds super relaxing to you right now, do it. If you feel like you might need some time alone, ask for that space. 

Sleep

This is easier said than done, but try your best to get eight hours of sleep. Getting enough sleep can do amazing things for your mental health. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable, experiment with different sleeping positions that could be more comfortable. Feel free to ask for help, too! Talk to other women in your life who are pregnant or who have been pregnant. 

Diet

What you eat is a lot like how much you sleep—it can do wonders for your emotions. Eating healthy and natural foods (instead of processed foods) not only promotes physical health for your and your baby, but it also helps with your emotional stability. 

Support

Surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging people is crucial during pregnancy. You shouldn’t feel ashamed of your emotional state, or try to hide it from people who care about you. Make your close family members or friends aware of how you’re feeling, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you need help. 

Professional counseling is always an option. You’re going through a lot, and there’s absolutely no shame in wanting professional help. Pregnancy is a beautiful time—but it’s also stressful, scary, and overwhelming! And all of that is okay. 

Let your doctor know if you feel like your emotions are extremely unstable, you’re experiencing severe depression, or you’re having suicidal thoughts. 
Looking for more pregnancy advice? Check out our blog here.

You’re two-thirds of the way to meeting your little one! A lot of exciting things will happen during this trimester, so keep reading for an in-depth look, week by week. 

Week Twenty-Eight

Your baby can partially open their eyes, and their eyelashes have formed. Their central nervous system can direct rhythmic breathing movements, as well as control body temperature. 

At this point, your baby is nearly 10 inches from the crown of their head to their bottom! 

Week Twenty-Nine

At this point, your baby is fully capable of kicking, stretching, and making grasping movements with their little hands. 

Week Thirty

Your baby’s eyes can open all the way now! They also might have a good head of hair by this point. Red blood cells are forming in your baby’s bone marrow. Your baby might be more than 10 ½ inches long now. 

Week Thirty-One

Thirty-one weeks into your pregnancy, 29 weeks after conception, your baby has completed most of their major development. At this point, your baby is going to start gaining weight very quickly. 

Week Thirty-Two

Your baby’s toenails are visible, and the layer of soft, downy hair that’s been covering your baby’s skin for a few months will start to fall off this week. Your baby is also beginning to practice breathing!

Week Thirty-Three

Your baby’s pupils can now change size in response to varying amounts of light. Their bones continue to harden, although their skull will stay soft and flexible for a while longer. 

Week Thirty-Four

Your baby’s fingernails have now reached their fingertips. They’re continuing to gain weight, and might be more than 4 ½ pounds at this point. 

Week Thirty-Five

Thanks to this rapid weight gain, your baby’s skin is now smooth, and their limbs are taking on a chubby appearance. 

Week Thirty-Seven

Thirty-seven weeks into your pregnancy, or 35 weeks after conception, your baby now has a firm grasp! To prepare for birth, they might start descending or “dropping” into your pelvis. If your baby isn’t head down, your healthcare provider will tell you some ways you can deal with that. 

Week Thirty-Eight

At this point, the circumference of your baby’s head and their abdomen are about the same. Your baby’s toenails are fully grown, and they’ve lost all of their lanugo. Your baby is probably around 6 ½ pounds at this point. 

Week Thirty-Nine

Your baby’s chest is still becoming more prominent. For baby boys, their testes continue to descend into the scrotum. Fat is still being developed all over your baby’s body, to help keep them warm after birth. 

Week Forty

Your due date is here! If you haven’t delivered already, your baby is most likely 14 inches long and around 7 ½ pounds. Always remember, though, that healthy babies come in a variety of different sizes. 

If your due date comes and goes with no signs of labor, don’t worry! Your due date is simply an estimate of when your pregnancy will be 40 weeks long—not an estimate of when your baby will arrive. It’s completely normal to give birth before or after your due date. 
Read our blog about common signs of labor, here!

The moment you find out you’re pregnant, everything changes. There’s a whirlwind of questions, information, and to-do lists inside your head.

You’ll probably start imagining your little ones, how they’re developing, and what they’ll be like once they arrive. How big are they now? What about now? When will you feel them kick? When can they hear your voice?

The First Trimester

Fetal development starts soon after conception and usually follows a predictable, steady course. Keep reading to learn more about everything your baby’s up to in the first trimester! 

Week One & Two: Your Last Menstrual Period and Conception

Although this might come as a surprise, you’re not actually pregnant for the first week or two of pregnancy. Conception usually occurs about two weeks after your last menstrual period begins.

That means, to calculate your estimated due date, your healthcare provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. So, your period is counted as part of your pregnancy—even though you weren’t pregnant then. 

Week Three: Fertilization and Zygote Development

The sperm and egg come together in one of your fallopian tubes to form one entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, or if the fertilized egg splits in two, you might have multiple zygotes—twins!

Usually, the zygote has 46 chromosomes, 23 from the biological mother and 23 from the biological father. These chromosomes help determine things like your baby’s sex and physical traits.

Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. At the same time, it’ll start dividing to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry, called a morula. 

Week Four: Implantation and Embryonic Formation

This ball of cells will start rapidly dividing; at this point, it’s known as a blastocyst. It starts to burrow into the uterine lining, which is called implantation. Inside the blastocyst, the inner group of cells will become the embryo!

As the embryo begins implantation, its outer layer will give rise to these essential structures formed to nourish and protect your baby throughout your pregnancy:

• The Umbilical Cord: The rope-like umbilical cord is made up of a vein and two arteries and provides your baby with oxygen while exchanging waste and nutrients from your body in the placenta.
• The Placenta: The placenta is a unique organ that attaches to the uterine wall; it only grows and exists in the body when a woman is expecting a baby. At the point of attachment, fetal blood vessels in the umbilical cord exchange waste and nutrients through the mother’s blood supply.
  A thin membrane that covers the fetal side of the placenta—the amnion—prevents fetal blood cells from crossing into the mother’s bloodstream.
• The Amniotic Sac: The amnion and fetus are enclosed in the amniotic sac throughout embryonic and fetal development. The sac fills with amniotic fluid, which regulates temperature and protects your baby while you anticipate its arrival.

Week Five: Hormones, Placenta Growth, and Embryo Development

This is your fifth week of pregnancy, but remember—it’s only the third week after conception. The levels of HCG hormone produced by the blastocyst quickly increase. This signals your ovaries to stop releasing eggs and produce more estrogen and progesterone. 

These increased levels of these hormones stop your menstrual period, which is often the first sign of pregnancy! It also fuels the growth of the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord.

Development of Embryonic Layers

The embryo also now has three layers:

• The top layer, the ectoderm, will eventually become your baby’s outermost layer of skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, eyes, and inner ears. 
• The middle layer, the mesoderm, will become the heart and primitive circulatory systems. The mesoderm also fosters the future development of your baby’s bones, reproductive system, parts of the urinary system, and ligaments.
• The innermost layer, the endoderm, will become your baby’s lungs and intestines. 

Week Six: Development of Nervous System and Major Organ Systems

Your Baby’s Brain, Spinal Cord, and Neural Tube

Your baby’s development will kick it up a notch this week! The neural tube along your baby’s neck is almost closed just four weeks after conception. Their brain and spinal cord will develop from the neural tube, initiating electrical activity in the nervous system.

Your Baby’s Heart, Major Organ Systems, and Limbs

Your baby’s heartbeat will start, and its sensory organs begin to form along with the digestive tract; every other major organ system has begun to form or resume development.

Small buds appear that will eventually become your baby’s arms and legs, and their cartilage frame becomes bone. Your baby’s body begins to form a C-shape at this point in your pregnancy. 

Week Seven: Your Baby’s Head Develops Structure

Seven weeks into your pregnancy, five weeks after conception, your baby’s brain and face are developing. Little sunken areas in your baby’s face are visible, which will eventually become their nostrils.

Their retinas are just beginning to form. Their legs follow close behind their arms—little buds where their legs will be are visible now. The little arm buds are now resembling paddles.

Week Eight: Your Baby Begins to Develop Facial Features and Fingers

In the eighth week of pregnancy, your baby’s nose forms, as well as their upper lip! Your precious baby’s lower limb buds look like paddles at this point, and their fingers are beginning to take shape. Your baby’s ears and eyes are apparent now, and their posture is starting to straighten out. 

By the end of this week, your baby is somewhere around a half-inch long—about half the diameter of a United States quarter!

Week Nine: Your Baby’s Toes and Eyelids Form

In your ninth week of pregnancy, seven weeks after conception, your baby’s arms grow, and his or her elbows appear. This point of fetal development includes the first stage of their developing eyelids, as well as their toes.

Your baby’s head is pretty large at this point, but they don’t quite have a chin yet. By the end of this week, your baby is a little less than ¾ inch long—the diameter of a U.S. penny. 

Week Ten: Final Embryonic Stage

By your tenth week of pregnancy, eight weeks after conception, your baby’s head has gotten much rounder. In this stage of fetal development, your baby’s elbows bend, but you won’t feel any tiny elbow jabs until you’re closer to the third trimester.

Their toes and fingers lose their webbing and start to get longer. Eyelids and the future shell-shaped parts of their external ears are continuing to develop. The umbilical cord is now clearly visible.

Week Eleven: Reproductive Organs Begin to Form

Your baby’s head makes up about half its length right now—but don’t worry, their body will soon catch up! Your baby is now officially described as a fetus at this point.

Their face is broad at this stage with their eyes widely separated and their eyelids fused, and your baby’s ears develop, set low on their head. Buds for their future teeth appear at this point. Red blood cells are also beginning to form in your baby’s liver. 

By the end of this week, your baby’s external genitalia (the penis or clitoris and labia majora) will start developing! Your baby’s body is now close to the length of the short side of a credit card, at around two inches long, and weighs approximately 1/3 ounce.

Even though your baby’s genitals develop by this time, it’s highly unlikely that your OB-GYN or midwife could find out your baby’s gender using a sonogram in the first trimester. There are plenty of theories, methods, and some myths on how to determine whether your baby is a boy or girl this early, but your best bet is to wait until you’ve reached 13 weeks.

Week Twelve: Final Stage of the First Trimester

In the twelfth week of pregnancy, your baby’s fingernails form, and their circulatory and urinary systems are fully functioning! Their face has now taken on a more developed profile, and their intestines are now developed in their abdomen; the liver produces bile—an integral component of the digestive process.

Your baby is now around the length of the short side of a U.S. dollar bill at about 2 ½ inches long and weighs roughly 1/2 ounce.

Signs Your Pregnancy Is Going Well in the First Trimester

Healthy progression in the stages of fetal development typically goes hand-in-hand with a number of signs and symptoms in expecting mothers’ bodies that can let you know whether or not things are going well.

During your pregnancy, your body is sure to go through numerous changes; but some women can experience a multitude of these symptoms, while others may have little to none at all:

• As we mentioned before, your monthly menstruation is likely to cease around the fifth week of pregnancy for the rest of your pregnancy. On the other hand, if you notice any bleeding or spotting, seek advice from your physician as soon as you can.
  An excess or increase in clear vaginal discharge, however, is actually a good sign that your estrogen levels are where they should be.
• In the early pregnancy stages of the first trimester, many mothers begin to experience morning sickness. Nausea and vomiting can occur while your body adjusts to the boost of hormone levels in your body, and it’s unlikely that morning sickness could disturb your or your baby’s health.
  Despite what the term “morning sickness” implies, many pregnant women can encounter these waves of nausea at any time of day, not just in the morning.
• As the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body increase, you should expect to see changes in your breasts such as swelling, darkened areolas, more prominent veins, tenderness, and enlarged mammary glands.
  These changes are prepping your body for nursing, and maternity bras are an excellent investment for support, comfort, and convenient breastfeeding access.
• Pressure on your bladder, rectum, and intestines from your growing uterus and baby can cause more frequent urination and constipation, especially in the last few weeks of your third trimester when he or she gets ready to move down towards the birth canal.
  Your body’s increasing progesterone levels are also a likely cause of constipation and other symptoms of delayed digestion. The hormone slows the rate of muscle contractions which regulate typical digestive tract function.
• You may want to create a maternity-friendly wardrobe now, as your beautiful growing belly and breasts will soon feel a little constricted in your old clothes.
  Of course, this is totally natural, and options for maternity clothing make it much easier to get dressed and are often quite comfortable—stylish, even.
• You’re likely to become fatigued—physically and emotionally. You may even have mood swings similar to the feelings you probably experienced during your previous menstrual cycles.
• Since the boost of hormones during pregnancy can heighten the full spectrum of your emotions, you may see that they spark joy and help you to feel relaxed while you’re expecting.

Some of these or other symptoms may not be something you’re looking forward to, but they are typically no cause for alarm, as they’re signs that your pregnancy is progressing at a normal, healthy rate! If you think you might experience something out of the ordinary, go ahead and give your doctor or midwife a call.

In the Second Trimester

Stay tuned for our complete breakdown of the second and third trimesters! Until then, check out our blog for more information.

Our maternal medical care team in the Women and Children’s Pavilion at RMC in Anniston welcomes more than 2,000 newborns each year. We have a team of specially trained OB Nurses, board-certified physicians, and top-of-the-line labor, delivery, and recovery care systems.

For all the pregnancy advice and support you need, contact Regional Medical Center today!

Swelling is completely normal during pregnancy, but it can be pretty uncomfortable. Luckily, there are a lot of natural home remedies you can try to reduce your swelling, and get a little more comfortable! 

Home Remedies For Swollen Feet

If you notice swelling coming on quickly, if these simple remedies don’t work, or if your swelling is accompanied by headaches or blurry vision, seek immediate medical attention—these things can all be symptoms of high blood pressure or preeclampsia. 

Here are some different things you can try to reduce swelling while you’re pregnant:

#1: Get Plenty of Protein, Salt, and Other Essential Nutrients

It’s pretty common for pregnant women to carry up to 20 pounds of extra fluid during their third trimester—that’s a LOT. Essential nutrients and minerals directly affect how well your body can process all of that extra fluid. 

Try to avoid processed foods—they can contain a lot of regular table salt—and opt instead for whole foods that contain unprocessed sea salt, along with all the good nutrients you and baby need!

#2: Nettle and Dandelion Tea

Try to drink one to two cups of dandelion and nettle infused tea every day, to help improve circulation and balance the electrolytes in your body. 

#3: Go Easy on the Caffeine

To help combat swollen feet, even more, replace your morning cup of coffee with some chamomile or peppermint tea. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it increases how often you use the bathroom. When you’re pregnant, this can easily lead to dehydration and fluid retention. Both chamomile and peppermint tea also have many beneficial trace minerals—including potassium. 

#4: Get Plenty of Potassium

Speaking of potassium, it’s an important mineral that helps maintain the salt and water ratio in your body. Here are some fruits, vegetables, and herbs that contain a lot of potassium:

• Avocados
• Figs
• Romaine lettuce
• Bananas 
• Papayas
• Parsley
• Rhubarb
• Artichokes
• Carob
• Kiwi
• Scallions
• Watercress
• Celery
• Blackstrap molasses
• Prune juice
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Cabbage
• Dill
• Arugula
• Endives

#5: Prop Your Feet Up

Elevating your feet for 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day will do wonders for your swollen feet! Use cushions to prop your feet up just slightly above the level of your heart. This will ensure that the blood and fluid return to your heart—relieving the swelling in your lower extremities. 

#6: Exercise for 30 Minutes a Day

If you decide to exercise, make sure it’s not too hard on your body. Gentler activities like yoga or swimming are great to keep your blood and fluids circulating throughout your body so they have less of a tendency to settle in your feet. Make sure whatever exercise you choose is doctor-approved and not too strenuous! 

#7: Epsom Salt Foot Soak

Grab a large bowl or basin and fill it with warm water and ½ a cup of Epsom salt—and you’ve got an at-home spa! Soaking your feet for 15 minutes will not only help reduce swelling, but could help ease aching feet, too. 

If you want a full on bath, add a full cup of Epsom salt to your bathtub—just make sure your bath water isn’t too hot. Try to make doing this a relaxing nightly ritual if you can! Feel free to add some essential oils like lavender, rosemary, or mint for some aromatherapy. 
Are you ready to realize your individualized birthing plan? Contact us to get started!

From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, everything changes. Things that might not seem like they’d be affected by your being pregnant or having a baby, totally are! A lot is changing in your body and your lifestyle—you have to be mindful of everything. If this is your first 4th of July pregnant, or your first 4th of July with a newborn, here are some things you should consider. Luckily, you shouldn’t have to make too many changes to your summer holiday!

Loud Noises

It’s normal to worry about your unborn baby—or your newborn baby—being exposed to loud noises. If you’re pregnant, you probably don’t have to worry about this at all! Your baby won’t develop their ears until about the 30th week of gestation. If you’re passed that mark, your body provides enough of a barrier to muffle loud noises anyway. You might feel your baby bouncing around a little more during fireworks, but there are no known negative side effects on pregnancy or baby development associated with fireworks. 

New, out-in-the-world ears are a different story. If you have a newborn baby, or even a small child, get some earplugs for them if you’re going to be watching fireworks. Sitting inside your car to watch fireworks is a great, safe option! Generally speaking, if a noise is loud to you, it’s probably too loud for your child. 

Bright Lights

We talked about fireworks noises, but what about the bright display? Is that safe?

Obviously, bright lights won’t affect your unborn baby. If you’re toting around a newborn this 4th of July, you should be more mindful. Most fireworks are too far away to bother an infant’s delicate eyes. However, if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks, keep your baby away from both the noise and the bright flashes. 

Lake Time

Unless you’ve tested the waters before and felt fine, we’d limit your time on a boat if we were you. When you’re pregnant, you’re not only woozier than normal, you’re also not as balanced. The probability of you getting seasick (or lakesick) even if you’ve never been seasick before is much higher now—the last thing you want is to spend your holiday over the railing! 

Summer Nights

Whatever your 4th of July plans are, make sure you’re well-prepared. Wear comfortable shoes, don’t plan on walking too far, make sure you have access to plenty of water, and have a safety plan if you’re going somewhere crowded with a small child. 

Make sure you’re protecting yourself and your child from bug bites as well! Always talk to your doctor before spraying any bug repellent on your small child—and remember that DEET-based repellents should never be used on infants or small children. 
For more pregnancy advice, tips, and tricks, check out the rest of our blog!

Nothing is quite “normal” when you’re pregnant—even everyday things that feel the same, aren’t. You feel different, need different things, need to avoid different things, etc. It’s getting hotter by the day in Alabama, and you’re probably itching for a beach getaway! If you’re pregnant, though, there are important considerations you need to make before hitting the sand. 

As long as you’re careful and safe, there’s no reason you shouldn’t treat yourself to a beach day. 

Benefits of a Pregnant Beach Day

If you aren’t stressed out right now, odds are you will be at some point. Planning for a baby is a lot to handle! Taking some time to sit in the sand and listen to the crashing waves is a great way to recharge. Both your body and mind are going through a lot—make sure you’re taking time to relax. 

The beach is a great place to catch up with friends or family members, and a great place for low-impact exercises! Take a long walk (preferably with someone) and let your troubles melt away. Bring a book you’ve been meaning to read, or listen to music or a podcast. This is the perfect time to indulge in some neglected hobbies. Take some time for you. 

What You Should Bring

You should avoid going to the beach alone. Your body is going through a lot of changes, and some of those changes mean you’re more prone to overheating or feeling dizzy. Bring a friend or your significant other, if possible. Whether you bring someone or not, you should always know where the nearest medical facility is located. 

Make sure you wear loose and comfortable clothing that’s breathable! Your body temperature is higher than normal when you’re pregnant, so you’ll feel hotter and sweat more easily. You also need to bring plenty of sunscreen and shade to sit under—like a wide hat or a beach umbrella. This is good advice for everyone, but it’s especially important for you. Your skin is much more sensitive due to the blood (of which there is extra!) being closer to the surface of your skin. 

Important Things to Consider

Be extra careful in the water. If you’re used to wave jumping and swimming at the beach, you might want to save those for after you have your baby. Odds are, you aren’t as coordinated at the moment. A small wave could easily knock you off your feet. 

You need to be drinking tons of water. It’s important to be extra hydrated throughout your entire pregnancy, and that goes double for sitting out in the sun on a hot day. Dehydration is one of the most common risks that come with being pregnant, so make sure you and your baby are getting plenty of water! Make sure you bring plenty of healthy snacks, too. 

Take breaks when you need them! A close-to-home (or at least close-to-Airbnb) beach trip is always best. You should take breaks throughout the day to rest in a shady or air-conditioned space and cool off. 
With these essentials, and these things in mind, nothing should stop you from having the beach day you’ve been craving! For more pregnancy tips, visit our News & Blog page.

Being pregnant is never really easy—you’re growing a person after all! Add summer heat to the mix, and being pregnant might seem impossible. It can be uncomfortable, to say the least. If you’re preparing for a hot Southern summer while pregnant, here are some things you might not expect. 

You’ll Be Hot––All the Time. 

If you’re pregnant, you have a lot more blood in your body than usual. That’s what’s making you feel so much warmer  than most people! In order for your body to handle all the extra blood, your blood vessels dilate slightly. This brings blood closer to the surface of your skin, making it feel warm to the touch. Add that intense Alabama sun, and you’ll be pretty toasty.  

Your Feet and Ankles Will Swell

Most people’s hands and feet swell in the heat, even when they aren’t pregnant. When you are pregnant, however, you have a lot of extra fluid in your body. Plus, the pressure of your growing uterus can cause extra swelling in your feet and ankles. You might not be able to get into those cute sandals you bought, but stretching often, staying indoors when you can, and avoiding standing for long periods of time can all help minimize swelling. 

You’ll Sweat, a Lot. 

You’ve probably gathered by this point that it’s going to be an extra hot summer for you. When you’re pregnant, no body part can escape sweat—you’ll sweat in places you never knew could sweat. Why? Because your blood volume increases by 40-50% when you’re pregnant. Not to mention, your metabolism is working for two now! Your body is doing its best to cool you off, which means more sweat. It’s a good thing, even if it’s gross or inconvenient.

Dressing Comfortably Won’t be as Easy.

It’s easy to dress up your bump in the winter. Heck, some of your oversized sweaters might even still fit! You can wear lots of cute layers to get bundled up. In the summer, though, simply getting dressed isn’t so simple anymore. You’re already much hotter than usual, so when spring is over, and summer comes in full force, dressing comfortably can be difficult. The best thing you can do is choose your fabrics wisely! It makes a huge difference. Choose light, breathable fabrics that you can layer—that way, you can easily add or remove clothing throughout the day. 

You’ll Sunburn More Easily

Sun protection is always important, and you shouldn’t ever skip sunscreen—but that’s even more important when you’re pregnant. Melanocytes, cells that produce pigment, are in overdrive when you’re pregnant—which makes your skin much more sensitive. Make sure you go out with at least SPF 30, and get a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB. A stylish wide-brimmed hat never hurt anyone either! 

Exercising Outdoors Might not be an Option

One of the reasons we love summer so much is all the fun outdoor activities we get to enjoy! But when it’s really hot or extra humid, exercising outdoors might not be safe for you. General exercise is great for pregnant women—it can help you feel better overall, help prepare your body for birth, and help your mood. But try to keep the exercising indoors to avoid overheating.

You Could Overheat

Speaking of overheating, you’re much more likely to overheat while pregnant. In fact, if a pregnant woman’s body temperature reaches over 102 degrees for a period longer than 10 minutes, there could be serious consequences for you and your baby. Stick to the shade and stay out of hot tubs. 

Looking for more pregnancy advice? Visit our News page!

Pregnancy brings on a wide range of emotions, sometimes all at once—and stress is one of the most prevalent ones. Between your fluctuating hormone levels, physical discomfort, and worrying about the future, it’s a miracle you aren’t a big ball of stress 24/7. If you have a preexisting mental disorder, pregnancy stress can be even harder to manage. 

Stress can also lead to a host of other issues, which can all, in turn, lead to more stress. Trouble sleeping, headaches, heart palpitations, obsessive or negative thoughts—all of these can be a direct result of stress. The worst part? This stress can affect your baby, too. Research has shown that consistent, high anxiety levels can affect the development of your baby. The good news? Humans have had centuries to learn how to cope with stress! There are a lot of ways to treat it—the key is finding what works for you. 

Natural Ways to Cope with Stress

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, and aren’t sure where to start, start with something easy—just pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. Is there anything specific that makes you instantly anxious? Maybe it’s a cluttered room, loud noises, or obsessing over a particular negative thought? Make a note of what your triggers might be, and try to avoid them. 

Not getting enough sleep leads to increased negative emotions in general, including stress. You need lots and lots of rest—not just because of what you’re going through physically, but also what you’re going through mentally and emotionally. Pregnancy is exhausting, and you need more rest now than ever. 

What you put into your body can drastically affect your mood—for better or for worse. Not only do you want to keep you and your baby healthy, but eating right and drinking plenty of water can also help reduce stress. 

Exercise is another key ingredient to staying healthy while pregnant, both physically and mentally. Thirty minutes of mild to moderate exercise, several days a week, can make a world of difference for your mood. Going for a brisk walk will help you release endorphins, and lower your cortisol levels—the hormone that causes anxiety. 

There’s a lot to think about when you’re pregnant. There’s a lot to do, a lot to plan, a lot of decisions to make, and a lot to worry about. Try meditating once or twice a day to keep your mind clear when you can. It doesn’t even have to be a full-on “om” situation—just a few quiet minutes, focusing on your breathing will help you recenter, and focus on positive things. 

If your stress level seems unmanageable and nothing you’re trying is working, consider finding a therapist. They can help you identify any possible underlying issues underneath your stress, as well as recommend healthy ways to cope with your feelings. Sometimes just unloading your anxieties can bring on serious relief. 

Treating Stress Unnaturally

If you’ve tried everything you can think of to reduce your stress, and it’s still affecting your daily life, it’s time to talk to your health care provider for other potential options. There are a number of medications you can take for stress that are safe for you to take while pregnant. 

Remember: stress is incredibly common in everyday life, and even more common during pregnancy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help or treatment—in fact, it’s 100% the right thing to do for you and your baby. 
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