How to Relieve Hot Flashes in Pregnancy
From the moment gestation occurs, your body begins to undergo certain changes due to hormones. In the first trimester, you can suffer from breast pain, dizziness, and nausea during pregnancy. Hot flashes also occur.
You many unexpectedly feel excessive heat, even in good weather. These hot flashes can occur throughout the entire pregnancy.
Initially, hot flashes are more related to the change in hormonal rhythm. However, as gestation progresses, they’re more associated with physiological and anatomical changes.
For example, the blood supply increases and the internal organs are relocated to make room for the uterus.
On the other hand, as you enter the last trimester of pregnancy, your body weight has varied and you’ve gained a few pounds. This provides even more reason why your body needs more energy to move with the baby inside of you. As a result, hot flashes occur.
Burning feet syndrome in pregnancy
These hot flashes are usually felt in the chest, neck, and head. However, some women also experience what they call “burning feet” – a nuisance linked to heat strokes.
In most cases, this syndrome is characterized by severe pain in the soles and toes, as well as a burning sensation caused by the metatarsal bones. These are compressed and cause circulation problems.
For this reason, you should wear comfortable shoes with a breathable and soft sole, and massage your legs and feet at the end of the day to reduce the chances of suffering this disease.
Can you control hot flashes during pregnancy?
There are ways to control, or at least decrease, the appearance of hot flashes during pregnancy. Here are some tips that will help you:
Drink plenty of water
Drinking enough water will help to counteract the feeling of flushing and keep both the mother and baby hydrated.
Take an atomizer with water
Having an atomizer prepared with fresh water on hand is an excellent option because it will refresh the skin before a fit of hot flashes.
Change the water temperature while bathing
Many people usually bathe with hot water to relax at the beginning or end of the day. However, with the presence of these symptoms, do it with warm water instead. You’ll better acclimate and cope with the pregnancy process.
Limit spicy foods
Spicy food causes stomach irritation. This in turn causes discomfort and suffocation, so limit or eliminate the consumption of spicy foods during pregnancy.
Avoid strenuous physical exercises
It’s not wrong to do physical exercises during pregnancy. However, if you do, reduce your workouts or limit them to exercises that don’t require so much energy. Swimming is advised in moderation.
“Initially, the hot flashes are more related to the change in hormonal rhythm, but as the pregnancy progresses, they’re more associated with physiological and anatomical changes.”
Wear light clothing
Wear cotton clothes to promote perspiration. This will prevent your skin from acquiring a higher temperature than usual and causing suffocation.
Have more pillows and a bucket with fresh water in the room
If you suffer from “burning feet,” elevate your feet on some pillows. This regulates the circulation in feet and legs. Similarly, place a bucket of water next to the bed in case the heat becomes too much to bear. This will prevent discomfort.
At the moment, there is no known pharmacological treatment to relieve the discomfort caused by the hot flashes, but there are many refreshing herbs with which cold teas that can be made that help you cool down.
Alert with temperature
Although it’s completely normal for a pregnant woman to have hot flashes, it’s very important to distinguish between heat stroke or fever. If your body temperature exceeds 37 or 37.5°C (98.6-99.5°F), it could be a sign of infection and should be treated immediately by a doctor.
Future mothers should always be one step ahead and document the physical changes they experience during pregnancy. With this, they’ll avoid worrying over perfectly normal situations.
Remember that a baby is growing in your belly. It’s normal for your body to respond unusually. However, following some easy tips can help you overcome any obstacles that come your way.
Before the hot flashes occur, prepare yourself with the best strategies and refresh yourself! Enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest and without complications.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Swamy, G; Heine, P. Swelling during late pregnancy. MSD Manual (Consumer version).
- Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy. NHS UK.
- Poppas A, Shroff S, Korcarz CE, Hibbard JU, Berger DS, Lindheimer MD, et al. Serial assessment of the cardiovascular system in normal pregnancy. Circulation. 1997;95:2407-15.
Medline.