Hot flashes, excessive sweating, restless nights… During pregnancy, many women feel like they are constantly hot. A common phenomenon, which is explained by significant hormonal and physiological changes. And when temperatures rise, this discomfort can become particularly difficult to bear.
A very common feeling of heat during pregnancy
Many pregnant women describe the same feeling: that of functioning like a real radiator. This sensation is particularly common in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, but can appear in the first weeks.
The reason? The maternal body undergoes profound transformation to allow the baby to develop. Blood volume increases, circulation intensifies and hormonal activity is particularly high. Result: body temperature tends to increase and pregnant women feel more heat.
This increased blood circulation can cause hot flashes, increased sweating, and a general feeling of discomfort.
The key role of hormones in this “radiator syndrome”
The explanation is also hormonal. The hormonal changes of pregnancy cause the small blood vessels under the skin to dilate, especially in the head, neck and chest.
This dilation promotes a sudden feeling of heat which can last from a few seconds to several minutes and be accompanied by sweating. Some women even wake up sweating during the night, which can degrade sleep quality.
Specialists also point out that hormonal changes promote edema, that is to say swelling of the legs, feet or ankles. A phenomenon which can be accentuated when outside temperatures are high.
When the heatwave makes symptoms even worse
During episodes of high heat, the difficulties can become more pronounced. In an article from Reporterreseveral pregnant women report a worsening of their symptoms: intense fatigue, sleep problems, swollen legs or even increased heart rate.
For Isabelle Derrendinger, director of the school of midwives at Nantes University Hospital and president of the National Council of the Order of Midwives, the physiological transformations of pregnancy make pregnant women particularly vulnerable to heat. Weight gain, increased blood volume and hormonal changes place greater demands on the vascular system.
Midwife Pauline Ruimy also observes that the discomfort linked to the heatwave can be particularly marked in the third trimester: “In the third trimester, patients are extremely tired. With the heatwave, it is even worse.”
How can you better cope with this feeling of heat?
Although it is not possible to completely prevent pregnancy-related hot flashes, several measures can help improve daily comfort.
The recommendations cited in The big book of my pregnancy of the National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians consist in particular of:
- Wear loose clothing, made of cotton or linen;
- Favor outfits in several layers that are easy to remove;
- Use a fan, mister or mini fan;
- Take lukewarm showers;
- Sleep in a room kept around 17 to 18°C;
- And above all, hydrate well.
Health professionals remind you that you should never reduce your water consumption in an attempt to sweat less. Sweating is a natural mechanism for regulating body temperature, and dehydration can be particularly problematic during pregnancy.
If you experience unusual symptoms such as discomfort, dizziness, difficulty breathing or severe weakness, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.