Heat Exhaustion During Pregnancy: Symptoms And Prevention

Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone in warm, hot, humid weather. Pregnant women are at higher chances of experiencing heat exhaustion as its believed that their body temperature is higher than average during pregnancy. The body tends to work harder to maintain the body temperature in such situations. Hence, experiencing excess heat, dehydration, or overheating the body can affect the mother as well as the baby during pregnancy.

Some common signs of heat exhaustion are, excess sweating, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, dizziness, weak/rapid pulse, faintness, swelling in the legs, etc. Severe heat exhaustion during pregnancy may also lead to vomiting, high fever, excess dehydration, or a fall.

These symptoms when experienced during pregnancy can lead to various complication and it needs to be prevented in simple easy ways.

· Start with limiting going out in the sun especially in the afternoons when the sun is shining bright and it’s extremely hot.

· Keep a regular intake of fluids or water to prevent dehydration.

· Avoid overheating your body, prefer wearing loose-fitting clothes or light clothes.

· Prefer to carry a mister or cool towel with you when going out.

· In case of dizziness, secure a safe place immediately, and sit or lay down for a while until you feel better.

· If the symptoms of heat exhaustion do not go away for more than an hour, consult your doctor immediately.

Heat exhaustion is a very minor event that can be prevented easily but it can lead to severe complications if not done so.

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