Surviving NVP & HG in the summer

Surviving NVP and HG is traumatic and debilitating, when you add in high summer temperatures (25 degrees + during the heat wave) it can make it that much more difficult to manage.

Karen Lodge, Support Coordinator at Pregnancy Sickness Support has put together a list of top tips and helpful products that might go some way to help sufferers during the warmer summer months.

Buy a fan!

Buy the best fan you can and get one in every room you go into, even the bathroom.

Make sure you have it positioned in front of an open window so that it can draw in cold air instead of circulating hot air.

If you can, invest in the best quality fan for the room you spend most of your time. You are probably going to spend a lot of time there and you need to be as comfortable as possible.

Budget Fan

Mid-range fan

Top of the range fan

Desk Fan

 

Fan for on the move

USB Fan

 

Wear all natural!

Man-made fibres are known to be sweat inducing which can lead to rashes and just plain stickiness.

Choose cotton or silk loose clothes or Pajamas’ to keep cool.

Budget

Mothercare

http://www.mothercare.com/maternity-nightwear/mat_nightwear,default,sc.html

Tesco

http://www.tesco.com/direct/ff-striped-maternity-pyjamas/181-1461.prd?source=others

 

Mid-range

Hot Milk

http://uk.hotmilklingerie.com/collections/sleep

JojoMamanbebe

http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/pp+maternity-pyjamas-and+nightwear

La Redoute

http://www.laredoute.co.uk/pplp/100/157878/218/cat-83921.aspx#shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation

 

Top of the range

Isabella Oliver

https://www.isabellaoliver.com/uk/shop/maternity-clothes

Hatch

https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/Shop/Designers/Hatch/All?pn=1&npp=60&image_view=product&dScroll=0&pScroll=500

 

Freeze!

Finding it difficult to drink water and keep it down is very common. An alternative in the hot weather would be to freeze your safe drink in lolly moulds, as ice cubes or as slushies that you can suck on throughout the day.

Amazon has a great range of lolly and ice cube moulds, my favourites are below

   

 

Cool water

Running your wrists under cool water, soaking your feet in a tub filled with cool water  or soaking a bed sheet in cool water before wringing it out and laying underneath it are all good ways of cooling down (especially if you keep your fan on). Soaking cotton wool balls in cool water and placing them over your eyes and showering under cool water 1 hour after taking your medications (when they are most potent) can also help. Ask your partner, mum or friend to help if you need to.

You can also fill a hot water bottle with water, store it in the fridge/freezer and use it as a cold pack when necessary.

If you find that tap water smells then use a large bottle of mineral water that you can store in the fridge.

Rest, rest, rest

Keep any activity to a minimum, rest as much as you possibly can and nap as and when you need to.

If you find that the room you are in is getting hot even with a fan on see if you can move to a cooler room in your house. Make sure your curtains are pulled if the sun is shining in, turn off heat emitting lights and devices and look at hanging a damp sheet at the window to cool the air as it comes in.

If you are working arrange earlier/later start and finish times with your employer so that you can avoid peak travel times and cramped public transport.

Sun Protection

If you do have to go out only do so during the cooler times of the day (before 1pm and after 3pm) and ensure you have applied sun lotion.

Unscented sun lotion is available as the smell can be overwhelming.

Advice from the skin cancer foundation suggests; “applying the equivalent of a shot glass (two tablespoons) of sunscreen to the exposed areas of the face and body – a 10 pence coin-sized dollop to the face alone. If you’re using a spray, apply until an even sheen appears on the skin. Remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently after swimming, heavy perspiration, or towelling off. Also remember, no matter how much sunscreen you apply, the SPF should be 15 or higher for adequate protection – and ideally 30 or higher for extended time spent outdoors.

In addition to using sunscreen, seek shade whenever possible, and wear sun-protective clothing, broad-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses. Sun screen should be applied 20-30 minutes before going out.”

Unscented sun protection

Lotions

Soltan Sensitive Hypoallergenic Suncare Lotion SPF30 200ml

http://www.boots.com/en/Soltan-Sensitive-Hypoallergenic-Suncare-Lotion-SPF30-200ml_1207170/#0VyiCD7Y8i27t37e.99

Ultrasun Extreme 50+spf 100ml

http://www.superdrug.com/Ultrasun/Ultrasun-Extreme-50spf-100ml/p/464700

Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Lotion SPF50 50ml

http://www.superdrug.com/Garnier/Ambre-Solaire-Sensitive-Advanced-Lotion-SPF50-50ml/p/619153

Baby Sun Lotion SPF 50+ 200ml

http://www.marksandspencer.com/nivea-sun-baby-lotion-spf-50-200ml/p/p22465093?prevPage=plp

Spray

Soltan Sensitive Hypoallergenic Suncare Spray SPF30 200ml

http://www.boots.com/en/Soltan-Sensitive-Hypoallergenic-Suncare-Spray-SPF30-200ml_1255940/#93owMb4UqKPILr7h.99

Bioderma Photoderm Kid Spray 200ML SPF50+

https://www.boots.com/en/Bioderma-Photoderm-Kid-Spray-200ML-SPF50-_1734044/

 

Dehydration is common symptom for women suffering with NVP & HG sufferers and their carers need to be vigilant as heat will exacerbate this... know the signs and seek help from your GP or Early Pregnancy Unit as soon as possible.

Symptoms & signs may include;

scanty dark infrequent urine

headache

thirst

dry mouth

difficulty in swallowing

red swollen tongue

loss of skin elasticity

loss of weight

low B.P.

raised pulse rate

lethargy, tiredness or confusion

 

If you have found ways that help you cope with NVP & HG in the heat please let us know by commenting below