Coping in 36 degree heat?!

[expectingourmiracle]

Hi all. I'm 38 weeks pregnant and getting more uncomfortable each day. Don't get me wrong I'm still very grateful to be preggo, but I'm seriously worried about the weather next week!
It's due to be 36 where I live, and we're just not set up for it. Has anyone got any tips on how they're going to stay cool? I have fans and a frozen hot water bottle but I don't think they'll cut it! Ideas so far:

• buy a paddling pool and sit in it all day in the shade (but won't help sleeping situation)
• book a hotel with aircon for 2 nights (but maternity pay is crap and don't want to waste money)
• stay in a air conditioned shopping centre for breakfast, lunch and dinner (but trying to avoid covid and not sure I could handle being on my feet all day!)

Anyone got any other bright ideas?

Buy a portable AC unit? By the time you’ve stayed in a hotel for 2 nights and had 3 meals out you’ve probably spent more than the cost of one! And you’ll have it for future heatwaves.

I was pregnant in a heatwave and it was horrible. However - things that made it bearable were
Moving very little
Drinking loads of water
Having lots of wet cloths - tea towels or muslins (that you'll soon enough need millions of for the baby) . Wet them, squeeze them out and place about your body - lie them on your bump, on your legs and feet, roll one and lie it on your neck around your shoulders. Replace when they warm up or dry out.

Definitely buy a smallish portable AC unit. Especially if you live somewhere with high humidity as they dry out the air as well which really helps with keeping you feeling cool. Plus you get to keep it for future heatwaves (there are going to be more and more).

Best thing I ever bought for summer. Stick it in the smallest bedroom you have got, keep all doors and windows in the room shut, put it on an economy setting if it has it and leave it on at night if it stays muggy. You’ll feel like you’re living in a fridge. Yes it all costs money, but so, so worth it.

I’ve taken the plunge and ordered a portable air con unit’ We can’t really afford, and DH grumbled a bit, it but the weather says 38 degrees on Monday! Can’t cope with that while heavily pregnant.

I bought a portable air con unit when I was 8 months pregnant in 2020. It was a god send. I'm now 17 weeks with my second and I'm so glad we made that purchase.

I do feel your pain, I’ve been heavily pregnant through two summers/heatwaves and I don’t enjoy pregnancy at the best of times, but my best advice is just to slow down. I got a lot of swelling in my feet and ankles during those weeks, especially with my third baby but I was also working on my feet all day that time and it was 35+ degrees. I ended up not being able to get my shoes on and I had to go to work literally barefoot and pregnant! Not even flip flops would fit!

Id be suggesting as much time with your feet above your heart as possible, that and just generally slowing down if you can - walk slower, move slower, expect less of yourself - catch up on your work and chores in the evenings when it’s cooler. Fling the older ones in the paddling pool, yes that counts as a bath. Just lower expectations really!

I'm 35 weeks so i know exactly where you are coming from!

Thanks everyone, the portable AC unit sounds like a winner. I didn't actually know they existed!

Is anyone staying and working from home instead of going into the office early next week. I suggested it to my supervisor but she didn't seem to be onboard. Office is un air conditioned.

@ploopypleepy as long as your role can effectively be carried out from home, that seems unreasonable. I would definitely play the pregnancy card.

I work from home anyway but all my office based colleagues have been told they can work from home Mon/Tues.

I was pregnant during the 2018 heatwave. You have my utmost sympathy!

The entire top drawer in the freezer was filled entirely with ice cubes so I could always have a very icy glass of water on the go.

Slept downstairs a few times.

Forests are actually really pleasant, so if you've a nice one by you take a camping chair and park yourself under some trees.

Sleeping under a wet towel.

And yes, one night we did go stay in an air conditioned hotel...

@Merryclaire yeah it's totally computer based while I'm pregnant so no reason not too!! I think I'll just tell them rather than ask again.