The Pros and Cons of Giving Birth During Summer
Giving birth during summer can have just as many pros as it does cons. And most issues that have to do with the heat have simple solutions. Let’s take a look at this topic below.
Being almost 40 weeks pregnant involves a series of aches and discomforts. It’s almost time to give birth, and the list of symptoms goes on and on.
But besides the habitual complaints of any pregnancy, time of year can affect the symptoms that mothers and babies experience. So, what happens if we’re expecting a baby during the summer months?
Both for pregnant women and mothers who have recently given birth, summer weather can be a big issue. And it’s not just about putting up with high temperatures. Many women wonder if the climate can also have a negative effect on their babies.
The benefits of giving birth during summer
“Besides providing energy and a more positive outlook, summer offers large quantities of vitamin D”
Many women give birth during summer. In fact, just after January and October, the summer months are the most popular time for giving birth .
This information may seem insignificant. However, it shows that summer doesn’t imply any additional difficulty in comparison with other seasons.
Many parents also fear giving birth during summer because doctors may be away on vacation. But thankfully, hospitals are always prepared for this, and staffed and ready.
There will always be enough personnel to assist summer births and care for both mother and child afterwards .
- First of all, good weather and summer vacation give us plenty of time to rest and relax. You can go to the pool or the beach, for example, and do some gentle swimming. This is great for pregnancy and for health in general. Traveling is also easier during the summer, making it easier to enjoy the company of friends and family.
- Warm climate also raises our sense of happiness and well-being. Days are longer and we have more time to enjoy and do things. Not only can you get more projects and work done, you also have plenty of time to relax and make plans.
- Besides improving our overall mood and perspective, summer also provides us with a great deal of vitamin D. Summer weather gives us the chance to get more sun exposure. As a result, both mother and baby can absorb more vitamin D, which contributes to bone and calcium formation. Of course, it’s important to take proper precautions before going outdoors with a newborn.
Some disadvantages of giving birth during summer
“The heat of summer means sweating and intense sun exposure. These are factors that affect pregnant women and newborn babies especially. Therefore, it’s important to be very careful”
When considering the problems that pregnancy or giving birth during summer can involve, heat is probably the first factor that comes to mind.
Pregnancy itself causes women to experience a higher body temperature. This, along with seasonal heat, can cause future mothers to feel suffocatingly hot.
This can also intensify other common uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Suffocating heat isn’t exactly your best ally when your legs are swollen or you’re having trouble sleeping, for example.
High temperatures can affect babies, so it’s important to keep them cool. Summer causes us to sweat more and exposes us to intense sun rays. These are factors we need to be extremely careful about.
How to deal with the discomfort
- Maintain a balanced diet. Heat can reduce your desire to eat, but you should be careful to keep up your balanced diet. Abundant amounts of food force your body to work harder, producing more heat. Choose lighter foods, and reach for plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water. Both heat and lactation increase a woman’s thirst. Reducing your salt intake will help you stay hydrated. But you shouldn’t eliminate salt altogether, as it’s beneficial to your baby’s formation. The best alternative for battling dehydration is drinking water. But you can also drink juice, water and sports drinks.
- Increase your hygiene. As we stated above, heat causes us to sweat more, which can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. If your childbirth involved an episiotomy or C-section, then you need to take special care of your stitches. Wash the area carefully, and avoid immersing yourself completely in water the first days after your baby is born.
- Use lightweight, breathable clothing. This applies to both mother and baby. Besides opting for natural fibers that allow your skin to breathe, you should also choose loose fitting clothes and light colors. Moms should also be sure to wear strong sunscreen and keep their newborns out of direct sunlight.
It’s true that summer can increase discomfort during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, this won’t necessarily make giving birth during summer much different than in any other season.
Fortunately, there are ways to relieve any discomfort you may experience due to the heat. So, if you’re planning on having a baby during the summer months, the best thing you can do is enjoy the fresh air during your baby’s first days of life.
