Excessive sweating is a condition that is often complained of by most pregnant women. Sweat can even appear even though pregnant women are not active or when they are in a cool room. Why does this condition occur?
Basically, sweating is the body's attempt to cool down when the body feels hot. The sweat fluid is produced by the sweat glands in the skin.
However, the body can sometimes sweat a lot even though the weather is not hot. This condition is quite often experienced by pregnant women. Is sweating a lot during pregnancy normal? What causes pregnant women to sweat frequently and how to deal with it?
Sweating a lot during pregnancy and its causes
Normally, people will sweat when they wear clothes that are too thick, move a lot, are in a hot room, or eat spicy food. However, pregnant women can sweat a lot even if they don't do these things.
Excessive sweating is a common condition experienced by pregnant women. The reason is, when you are two, the body will work harder in many ways, thus making pregnant women sweat more.
The following are some of the reasons why pregnant women sweat a lot:
Increased blood flow and metabolism
During pregnancy, your blood volume will increase by about 40% or more. This increase in the amount of blood occurs because the pregnant woman's body is trying to meet the blood and nutritional needs of the fetus.
This pumping of large amounts of blood throughout the body can increase body temperature, so pregnant women sweat more.
Weight gain
Every pregnant woman experiences an average weight gain of about 11–15 kg. This extra burden makes the pregnant woman's body sweat more, especially when carrying out daily activities.
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, the hormones in the pregnant woman's body will increase. Increased pregnancy hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can make pregnant women's metabolism increase while triggering more active sweat glands. This is what makes pregnant women sweat more often.
Tips so that pregnant women don't sweat a lot
Feeling hot, especially at night, is normal for pregnant women. However, pregnant women can do the following tips to stay comfortable and reduce excessive sweating:
1. Choose clothes that can absorb sweat
When sweating, pregnant women can wear clothes made of cotton or linen. This clothing material can absorb sweat well and make pregnant women feel cooler.
In addition, pregnant women are also advised to choose clothes that are comfortable and not too narrow. Also avoid wearing clothes in layers because it can make the pregnant woman's body sweat more.
2. Keep the room cool
Use a fan or air conditioner (AC) to make the room cooler. Avoid being outside for too long on a hot day.
However, pregnant women also still need to be active and exercise to stay healthy. To help cool the body, pregnant women can choose sports that do not sweat a lot, such as swimming.
3. Take a bath with warm water
Pregnant women may think that bathing with cold water can cool the body. In fact, this is not true. Cold showers actually make the body stay hot and sweat a lot. If you want to make your body feel cool, pregnant women can take a bath with plain water or warm water.
4. Immediately wipe the sweat that appears
Always carry a small towel or wet tissue with you every time you move or even when you sleep. Thus, pregnant women can immediately wipe sweat so that the body remains dry.
5. Avoid certain foods
Avoid or limit consumption of foods and drinks that can increase body temperature and sweat production, such as spicy foods and drinks containing caffeine and alcohol.
To keep pregnant women's bodies cool, try to eat fruits and vegetables that contain lots of water, such as watermelon, oranges, melons, and cucumbers.
6. Sufficient body fluid needs
To meet the needs of body fluids as well as cool the body, pregnant women need to drink enough water. Pregnant women are advised to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Pregnant women also need to drink more water when sweating a lot so that the body fluids lost through sweat are replaced immediately. This is important so that pregnant women do not become dehydrated.
Sweating a lot during pregnancy is a normal condition for pregnant women. However, pregnant women still have to be vigilant. Sometimes, sweating a lot during pregnancy is also caused by certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, infections, low blood sugar, side effects of drugs, to anxiety and excessive stress.
Therefore, if pregnant women often sweat and feel disturbed by this condition, you should consult a gynecologist. Pregnant women also need to go to the doctor immediately if excessive sweating is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body feeling weak, chest palpitations, and shortness of breath.
