All the changes your body goes through during pregnancy make you work extra hard to regulate your temperature. Sweating is the best vehicle to accomplish this. You sweat more than usual when you’re pregnant because you’re metabolizing for two and have lots of new activity going on to make sure you and Baby stay healthy.
What causes it?
The main culprit of excessive sweating during pregnancy is a sharp increase in hormones and overall blood flow. Blood flow makes you feel warmer and therefore gives your body more of a reason to cool off with a quick sweat. A less likely cause is hyperthyroidism, where your thyroid is overactive in its regulation of your metabolism and releases too much thyroid hormone. You and Baby are also getting bigger by the day, so lugging them around can get tiring and make you sweat more. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a fever or your heart rate increases from all the sweating since it could be a sign of a more serious issue.
In some cases, night sweats during pregnancy can be a sign of an underlying condition, so if they start to happen regularly, or if you’re concerned, it can be a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider, just to make sure there’s nothing to worry about.
Tips?
The same suggestions apply for a hot summer day. You may want to wear light clothes, drink lots of water, and search for an air conditioner. Try taking a cold shower or bath to lower your body temperature and reward yourself with some cool, and preferably indoor, R&R. If you feel like the sweating is too excessive or lasts too long, your healthcare provider should be able to answer your questions and help you out.
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
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Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Hyperthyroidism.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 11/20/2012. Web.
