SURVIVING YOUR SUMMER PREGNANCY - ANTI-MOSQUITO MATERNITY APPAREL

Being pregnant in the summer has its pros and cons. I am becoming very well versed in how to deal with summer pregnancies, since I had a baby last August, and I will be having another this August! I wanted to share a couple of tips to help you manage the difficult aspects of being pregnant in the summer, but first, I want to tell you why a summer pregnancy is great!

So first and foremost, you can go swimming! I don’t think there is anything more relaxing when you are pregnant than floating around a pool with your feet propped up while drinking a big glass of lemonade; it’s heavenly! Another positive thing about being pregnant in the summer, when you deliver your baby, you will be able to go outside without having to worry about the temperature. With my last baby, we started going for early morning walks shortly after he was born, and it helped me feel like a normal person again! One last perk of having a summer baby is you don’t have to worry (as much) about your visitors carrying harsh germs like you would in the winter!

Now, let’s discuss the difficult realities of having a summer pregnancy. Depending on where you live, you might have to worry about mosquitoes. This probably wouldn’t have been such a huge concern a few years ago,but now, with the Zika Virus, pregnant women have to be very cautious! My husband and I had actually planned a baby moon to Cancun last summer and had to completely cancel the trip due to Zika -- It’s very serious! Luckily, this time around, I am able to wear my Anti Mosquito clothing! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Yes, this is real!! This line of clothing from the designer Bove by Spring Maternity is infused with a safe treatment that actually kills mosquitoes! Deet and other bug sprays don’t even do that; most sprays just repel them!! Having this Anti Mosquito outfit has allowed me to attend outdoor events without the stress of mosquitoes. Not to mention, it’s super cute and really comfortable! I like to hop into this outfit when I’m going for walks around the neighborhood, or even just playing in the yard with my little guy!

Another hard thing you might have to deal with during a summer pregnancy is the heat! If you live in Georgia, like me, it gets really hot. Being overheated while pregnant isn’t safe, and it also causes you to swell even more than you might already be! To combat the heat, I always carry ice water with me, and I try not to stand on my feet too long when I am outside. I have also found that having a great pair of maternity shorts,like these, make life so much happier during hot weather. My advice to you, don’t wear jeans unless you have to!

These are some of the things to think about if you are going to be pregnant during the summer. Regardless of the time you get pregnant, pregnancy is a beautiful thing, and it’s an incredible experience! Even though it can be tough, especially during the summer, it will be so worth it once you get to hold that precious baby in your arms!

Emily du Plooy