Being pregnant is wonderful any time of the year, but the winter can bring on a few challenges. However, you can stay safe and comfortable all winter long with these helpful tips!
Tips for a Winter Pregnancy
Get a Flu Shot
During the winter, you’re more susceptible to getting the cold or flu. If you’re in your second or third trimester, you’ll also want to get the flu shot as an extra precautionary measure. With your immune system being suppressed, colds and viruses last longer and you’ll want to take any kind of help to stay healthy. Because your cold can last longer, it could easily become pneumonia. If your cold won’t go away or your cough becomes more severe, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.
Take a Sick Day
If you feel under the weather, don’t go into the office. It’s best to stay home and recuperate to let your immune system reboot. When you’re pregnant, colds and other viruses can hit you harder, so you may end up feeling worse than usual. It’s best to just listen to your body and take care of yourself. If you’re trying to get through all your emails, you’ll just feel more exhausted and probably won’t be as productive anyway. Take the day to cozy up on the couch and binge watch your favorite show on Netflix.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Dealing with dry and itchy skin may be more of an issue for pregnant women in the winter months. Hormones can affect your skin differently during pregnancy, causing acne for some women and dry, itchy skin for others. Your belly especially becomes irritated as your skin stretches to make room for your growing baby. You can keep your healthy pregnancy glow by drinking more water and using over-the-counter moisturizer. Using a moisturizer like Nivea every morning will help you fight off that annoying dry skin. Pregnancy can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure your moisturizer has SPF in it too. You also want to make sure you’re hydrating from within; so drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
Buy Essential Winter Maternity Clothes
Prepare for the winter by getting your winter maternity wardrobe ready. Invest in a real maternity coat to help you stay warm outside and feel more comfortable. You don’t want to try squeezing into a regular winter coat that you’ve had for years, especially if you’re in your late second or third trimester. Keep your legs warm with comfortable maternity pants and jeans that you can wear multiple times throughout the week and with versatile tops. You’ll also want to pick up an abundance of long sleeve t-shirts and stretchy tanks that you can wear underneath your sweaters. You can layer your tees too to create extra warmth.
Wear the Right Shoes
If you’re worried about slipping on snow or ice, having the right pair of shoes can ease your worries over this winter hazard. You’ll want to invest in a stable, quality pair of boots or rubber-soled shoes that have good traction. Once you find the right pair, you’ll be walking with more confidence in no time. If you do slip and fall, don’t worry! Generally, the baby is well protected in the womb, and your maternal instincts will take charge and have you put your arm out to protect the baby if you take a spill. If you’re far enough along and you do fall, feeling the baby move is reassurance that everything is fine. If you don’t feel movement, your water breaks or there is bleeding call your doctor right away.
Stay Indoors
Staying indoors doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can protect you from the freezing cold temperatures and allow you to take advantage of things you need to get done. You can get your nursery ready for the baby, read up on maternity books and shop for the baby online. Staying in also gives you the opportunity to take up things you’ve wanted to try, such as trying out different recipes you’ve found over the years. While you’re staying in you can also take up working out at home. You can buy some prenatal DVDs from the store and stay in shape from the warmth of your home. Exercise is extremely essential to a healthy pregnancy so try a mix of yoga, Pilates and low-impact cardio. It’s also a great mood-booster that can help you fight off those winter pregnancy blues!
Plan Out Your Hospital Route
Mapping out your way to the hospital is essential during this time of year. You don’t want to be scrambling around for directions to the hospital when your water breaks. If a snowstorm were to occur, you need to make sure you know the best route to the hospital as a precaution. In a snowstorm, you may not be able to read street signs as well and you don’t want to be lost in the storm if there are icy conditions. It’s also best to not only plan out a basic route, but also a second route in case something was to happen.
Find a Perinatologist in New Jersey
This winter if you feel you are having complications with your pregnancy, find a perinatologist at New Jersey Perinatal Associates (NJPA). At NJPA, we work with obstetricians in the Tri-State area as consultants to confirm healthy fetal development, and assist in the care of complicated or high-risk pregnancies. With our experienced medical professionals and top-quality medical services, we are the best place for a healthy delivery this winter. Contact us today for more information on our prenatal services or fill out our new patient form online.
