I'm pregnant. What should I watch out for in the summer?

We often hear the question whether a pregnant woman is allowed to swim in the sea or sunbathe. Of course, pregnant women should not refrain from summer activities (unless there are serious medical reasons), but this is done having in mind their health and their fetus’s health as a priority.

In addition to the spiritual and psychological benefits of swimming, there are also important physical benefits, since you exercise without burdening your joints, you strengthen your muscular system, you reduce pain in the back, but also the swelling of the lower limbs, especially in the last months of pregnancy.

So you will enjoy your summer, but you will respect the limits of your body, following some tips that will allow you to stay cool in a hot summer!

Staying at the beach exposes pregnant woman to high temperatures, so - if you are pregnant - you must take measures and follow the following tips:

• If you have to choose between sea or pool, choose sea, as sea water is a safer choice and it is more beneficial because of the iodine it contains. It goes without saying that you choose clean seas and with as few people as possible.

• Of course, swimming must be done with gentle movements and you must always be accompanied in the sea, as it is possible to get cramps or feel unwell.

• It goes without saying that you should avoid exposure to the sun between the hours of 12:00 – 16:00 (solar heat at these hours is at its maximum), but if you can't, stay in a shady place.

• Remember that during the months of pregnancy you do not have the same strength as before, so be careful. Swim in shallow water, don't swim if you've eaten before and it's a good idea to wear rubber beach shoes to avoid slipping.

• As for sunbathing, you better forget it! Your skin is now much more sensitive and sun exposure is the reason why you may get unwanted blemishes, freckles, etc. Better to wear a big hat, sunscreen with a high protection factor, always sit under an umbrella and hydrate with cool drinks.

Let us now talk about a very serious issue, that of infections.

Summer, no matter how nice it is, unfortunately comes with all sort of vaginal infections. Whether they are fungal or bacterial, these infections disturb the pH of the vagina, raising its values and making it less acidic.

Whether you are pregnant or not, you need to be careful where you place yourself in and out of the sea. That is, apart from the fact that the sea where you swim must be clean, outside of it you must not sit or lie directly on the sand. Always place a straw mat and a towel on top, or prefer sunbeds (always with a laid towel). Also, when you get out of the sea it is good to shower and rinse well and immediately put on a dry bathing suit. If you do not choose to do the above, vaginal infections linger.

Of course you will enjoy the benefits of the sea and summer, but you must take the protective measures we mentioned above.

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Regularly checking your vaginal pH – especially in the summer months – is very important. Poor vaginal health leads to infections and discomfort. The pH of a normal vaginal discharge ranges between 3.8 – 4.4. If the discharge becomes alkaline, then its value reaches or exceeds 5 and then pathological microbes settle in the vaginal environment.

If you have any of the following symptoms, then you should check your vaginal pH immediately:

Excessive secretions, itching, dryness, fishy smell, discomfort in the vaginal area, burning sensation.

Keep in mind that when vaginal pH rises above 4.5, it endangers health and increases the risk of preterm labor.

It is recommended to check in the following cases:

If you have a new sexual partner, if you have taken medication, if you have had a gynecological surgery. It is also recommended after activities in the sea or pool and of course if you feel discomfort in the area.

During pregnancy, the test should be done twice a week because the increased value of the vaginal pH is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, miscarriage, chorioamnionitis, fever during labor, endometritis after childbirth, bacterial infection of the fetus, etc.

How can you check it?

With the vaginal pH test from HomeTest, which is a highly reliable, completely hygienic and painless method of measuring pH in the vaginal area.

 

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