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It's Getting Hot in Here

Keep Cool While You're Pregnant
During the Summer Months

By Katherine Bontrager

Technology also can come to your aid. Moisture-wicking clothing, which was once just the realm of athletic wear, has now gone mainstream. One such offering is Cool Sets, a line of women's sleepwear that's designed to keep women – especially when they're pregnant and their body temperatures fluctuate – cool and dry in the summer and warm and dry in the winter.

Dressing smart and drinking plenty of water aren't your only concerns. This isn't the time to take for granted that any outside activity will be acceptable – including the exercise that is so important for healthy moms-to-be. "Pregnant women should not exercise in the direct heat for more than 20 minutes to avoid overheating and the real possibility of heat stroke," says Dr. Johnson.

But how can you tell if you're starting to suffer from heat stroke? Dr. Johnson says redness of the face and skin is worrisome. "Excessive sweating and a rapid heart rate that you can feel are good signs that you need to drink extra fluids and take measures to cool down, such as finding shade, going to an air-conditioned room and so on," he says.

Even walking can be too much, even if it's as little as around your neighborhood or from store to store. "If you're walking a lot in the hot summer months, be sure to stop and rest, have a cool drink handy and find shady areas if possible," Dehn says. "Keeping a wet kerchief tied around your neck or other thin cloth that you can wet and place on the back of your neck or on your head will help, too. Be aware that you're carrying more weight, so plan to move a bit slower and allow more time to rest and recver after a walk."

Want to see more?

• Heating It Up: Summer Maternity Clothing Savvy
• Summer Pregnancies: Hot Tips for Staying Stylishly Cool
• Jazz Up the Tap: Flavored Waters Offer Healthy Hydration
• Talk about it!

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