Staying Healthy Print Surviving the Summer Heat in Pregnancy Medically reviewed by facebook linkedin instagram Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on March 06, 2016 Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD Written by twitter linkedin Written by Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial policy Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Updated on April 19, 2019 Your Pregnancy Week by Week Overview First Trimester Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Second Trimester Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26 Week 27 Third Trimester Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31 Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35 Week 36 Week 37 Week 38 Week 39 Week 40 Photo © RapidEye/Getty Images Here are some things that you need to keep in mind during the summer while pregnant, no matter when you're due. Hydration Drinking water during pregnancy is very important because of the increased demands on your body. During summertime, it is even more important to drink lots of water because even slight dehydration can cause severe problems like preterm labor. Signs of Dehydration Not drinking enough liquid can lead to dizziness and lightheadedness, nausea and headaches, muscle cramps, and an increase in body temp which can lead to heat exhaustion. Drink at least two liters of clear liquids, preferably water, a day. If you are outside you need at least eight ounces of water for every hour you are outside. Drink before you get thirsty—thirst can be a sign that you've waited too long. When dehydration occurs, you lose part of your blood volume. This increases the concentration of the normal amounts of oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions), therefore causing contractions. These contractions can lead to the premature birth of your baby. Swelling Swelling in pregnancy can be a normal physiologic part of pregnancy. You need to learn to read the signs of normal swelling, which usually increases in the summer particularly if you are later in pregnancy, as not to be alarmed. Normal swelling in pregnancy will go down after you have rested. It will not appear suddenly. Any swelling that appears suddenly, does not go away after rest (for example, you wake up swollen), or is worrisome needs to be checked out by your practitioner. Normal swelling can be dealt with by salting your food to taste. This means you need to neither restrict salt completely or overdo it on salt. Many people are not aware that too little salt will also cause swelling to occur. Rest with your feet up whenever possible. Remove your rings if they are tight, don't risk the pain and misery of having them cut off. Being in water will also help swelling, particularly water that is deeper like shoulder length. This also works really well for women who have higher blood pressure. Sun During pregnancy, it's best to avoid direct sunlight. If you are in the sun use a 30-45 SPF sunscreen. Avoid restrictive clothes. This can increase your discomfort and add to swelling problems. Try to go outside in the cooler parts of the sunshine—early morning and late afternoon—rather than high noon. Summer can be a great time of year to get out and enjoy your pregnancy. There are many activities that can still be done during pregnancy and with a few simple precautions. There is no reason you shouldn't enjoy the summer. Remember to watch out for warning signs of dehydration, problematic swelling, or other signs that you need to call your practitioner. When to Call Your Practitioner Contractions or cramps (more than five in one hour)Bright red blood from your vaginaSwelling or puffiness of the face or hands (a sign of preeclampsia)Pain during urination (possible urinary tract, bladder, or kidney infection)Sharp or prolonged pain in your stomach (preeclampsia signs)Acute or continuous vomiting (preeclampsia signs)A sudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vaginaLow, dull backacheIntense pelvic pressure The good news is that you can safely enjoy summer fun and stay safe. So get out and enjoy! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading