In the early stages of pregnancy, some expectant mothers often complain of sweating frequently, having trouble sleeping due to night sweats, and feeling the need for their body to cool down. This condition is a natural sign of pregnancy and, if managed consciously, does not cause any problems. What causes sweating during pregnancy? What causes hot flashes during pregnancy? While addressing these issues, we will also share with you how to alleviate sweating during pregnancy.
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Sweating is a reaction of the body to maintain its own temperature balance. During pregnancy, hot flashes, fever, etc., can occur due to various reasons.
In such cases, to prevent the increased body temperature from harming the mother and the baby, the sweat glands start to work excessively and expel solid substances along with the fluid on them. This results in sweating. The fluid secreted by the sweat glands evaporates, and the body begins to cool down.
When we ask why sweating occurs during pregnancy, we see that various factors contribute to sweating - hot flashes.
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Why Does Sweating Occur During Pregnancy? What Causes Hot Flashes?
Pregnancy begins to change the routine lifestyle of the expectant mother from the early weeks, along with its symptoms. In addition to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, groin pain, etc., many pregnant women consult a doctor with complaints of hot flashes, feeling overheated, and sweating starting from the early weeks of pregnancy.
Hot flashes, feeling excessively warm, difficulty sleeping at night, profuse sweating, feeling warmth up to the scalp, etc., are considered as symptoms of pregnancy and are natural occurrences.
However, expectant mothers may still be concerned about excessive warmth and sweating. In this case, it is important to consciously research the reasons for sweating during pregnancy.
Hot flashes - excessive warmth during pregnancy are conditions experienced due to many reasons. Especially in the early months of pregnancy and in the last months close to delivery, sweating and feeling overheated are more common. So why does sweating occur during pregnancy? Let's evaluate it under subheadings.
Hormones
Even in normal times, especially when a woman approaches her menstrual period or enters her menstrual period, the progesterone and estrogen hormones in her body undergo changes. In this case, there are increases in body temperature. The situation is no different during pregnancy.
While your hormones prepare the ground for the development and progression of pregnancy, they cause increases in body temperature.
Changes in hormones lead to imbalances in body temperature, and the expectant mother experiences symptoms such as hot flashes, feeling overheated, and sweating due to the increase in body temperature.
Increased Blood Circulation
During pregnancy, there is an increase in blood circulation to ensure that the development of the baby and the transmission of nutrients and oxygen to the baby are better provided.
The increase in blood circulation leads to an increase in body temperature, and as a result, conditions such as hot flashes, feeling overheated, and sweating may occur.
Thyroid Fluctuations
During pregnancy, changes in thyroid hormone can be seen due to hormonal changes, and in this case, pregnant women may experience sweating due to an increase in body temperature.
In women with hyperthyroidism, the rapid activity of the thyroid leads to an acceleration of metabolism, an increase in blood circulation, and consequently an increase in body temperature.
Hyperthyroidism is a serious problem; it can cause problems such as irregular heart rhythm, uncontrolled weight loss, etc., so hyperthyroidism and pregnancy need to be closely monitored.
Blood Sugar Factor
Glucose (sugar) in the blood serves as the primary energy source for all tissues and organs in the body. In pregnant women, active sugar in the blood can lead to an increase in body temperature.
Sugar in the blood, responsible for transmitting nutrients to the baby, also makes an extra effort for the development of the baby. In this case, the rapid functioning of blood sugar can cause sweating in the body.
Increased Metabolism Rate
Imagine! A human is developing in your body and taking all the nutrients it can from the mother. In this case, the metabolism of the expectant mother works faster to provide enough nutrients and oxygen to the baby.
The development of the baby depends on the healthy functioning of the metabolism of the expectant mother. The rapid functioning of metabolism can lead to an increase in body temperature and consequently to sweating. The expectant mother can burn more calories and produce heat.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy because the body needs to prepare the ground for the growth and development of the baby.
In addition to this situation, if the ideal weight gain is exceeded, an increase in body temperature may occur due to the extra effort expended by the expectant mother who needs to remain balanced. This can lead to symptoms such as feeling overheated, hot flashes, sweating, etc.
Stress
When it comes to sweating, two main headings stand out: physiological, temperature-regulating sweating. Many physiological conditions can lead to this type of sweating.
The second main heading is emotional sweating, i.e., psychological sweating. Emotional sweating can be encountered, especially during a period of significant psychological changes such as pregnancy.
Stress, anxiety, worry, fear of inadequacy, anxiety, etc., are common psychological changes experienced during pregnancy, and these changes can lead to physiological effects on the body. Since these are entirely mental changes, it is possible to call this sweating emotional sweating.
Emotional sweating during pregnancy; can lead to increased body temperature, increased blood circulation, and, consequently, sweating as a defense mechanism of the body.
Illnesses
While pregnant, women may experience various infectious diseases. The common cold, flu, and many other diseases can cause an increase in body temperature.
In this case, the sweat glands in the body work overtime to expel solid substances from the body with water. In the presence of the baby, the sweat glands work more, and sweating is seen more.
Medications
Consciousness is important in medication use during pregnancy, and medication use is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. However, if medication is necessary, it can be noted that medications can cause sweating during pregnancy as a side effect.
Nutrition
Nutrition is important during pregnancy, and attention should be paid to nutrition for the development of the baby and for the expectant mother to have a healthy pregnancy.
In pregnancy; spicy foods, caffeine, and excessive fatty foods are not recommended. If you consume these, an increase in cholesterol and blood sugar may occur. Additionally, blood circulation may increase, and as a result, body temperature may increase, leading to sweating.
How to Deal with Hot Flashes, Heating, and Sweating During Pregnancy?
Hot flashes, sweating, etc., can occur during pregnancy due to the reasons we mentioned above, and in most cases, unfortunately, there is no definitive solution as it is a natural sign of pregnancy.
However, how can you deal with this situation if you are wondering? We would like to provide you with important recommendations.
- Make sure your clothes are breathable, thin, cotton, and do not cling to your skin.
- Night sweats are more common during pregnancy and disrupt your sleep. In this case, ventilate your room as much as possible but be careful not to catch a cold.
- Pay attention to the cotton and breathable type of fabric such as sheets, mattress protectors, pillowcases, etc., you use in your bed.
- Avoid using nylon content sheets, pillowcases, clothes, etc.
- Consume at least three liters of water during pregnancy. Do not leave your body dehydrated. While a normal person needs to consume at least two and a half liters of water per day, pregnant women are advised to consume more than this amount. Sweating at some point means that the body is losing fluids, and if you do not consume enough fluids, you may experience adverse effects.
- Avoid consuming spicy, oily foods. Especially avoid eating before bedtime.
- Do not use heavy, thick blankets and quilts. Opt for breathable and thin blankets.
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun in hot weather, and if you need to be outside, stay in the shade.
- Adjust your outdoor outing time to early morning and evening hours during hot weather.
- In summer months, try to stay in cool places and use cooling devices such as fans and air conditioners at room temperature.
- Place a soft and cotton towel on your bed to absorb sweat. Also, keep mini towels with you and dry your sweat when needed.
- If you are experiencing excessive heating, sweating, taking a warm shower can help you relax.
- Avoid situations that require excessive effort, and ask for help if necessary.
- If you are bothered by the smell that comes with sweating, use antiperspirant cosmetic products that eliminate sweating. Antiperspirant cosmetic products can be used during pregnancy.
- When experiencing sweating and overheating, if you are not at home, place moist wipes on your forehead and face. If possible, you can also place moist wipes under your armpits.
- Wash your face and feet; moisturize your armpits, neck area with water. The areas where body temperature increases the most are the mouth, armpits, ear canal, forehead, and anal area.
- Pay attention to weight gain and do not exceed the ideal weight limit during pregnancy.
When Should You See a Doctor?
In most cases, there is no need to worry about sweating, overheating, etc., during pregnancy because it is a natural consequence of pregnancy.
However, if you are experiencing the following situations, it is beneficial to see a doctor:
- If body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius.
- If you feel dizzy with hot flashes.
- If there are other accompanying disease symptoms.
- If your anxiety level increases.
- If you have diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
- If you feel tingling or itching all over, and there is no irritation.
- If you feel like you are about to faint.
- If you have an existing illness.
In this content, we wanted to address why sweating occurs during pregnancy? What causes hot flashes during pregnancy? Sweating, overheating, especially night sweats during pregnancy, can negatively affect daily life. It is important to act consciously and progress under doctor control.