Julie Schweitzer, WHNP
May 22, 2019
As we end our long, cold winter and start into our 2019 summer season, the heat is sure to spark up. What can you do to stay safe and healthy this summer?
Sunscreen
American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you choose to use a water resistant sunscreen, make sure to reapply after getting out of the water or sweating.
Sunscreen is safe and highly recommended when pregnant.
Hydration
Staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature and flushes waste from the body. It is vital to our overall health and well being.
Tips to help with hydration:
- Make sure to drink six to eight 8oz of water each day.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to work and drink from it throughout the day, refilling as needed.
- Drink water during meals instead of soda, fruit juices or alcohol
Here is a thirst-quenching drink to try this summer
- 1 pitcher of water
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Juice of 4-5 limes
- Add lime juice and cucumber slices to water and stir-refrigerate to chill or serve over ice
Signs of dehydration:
- Feeling thirsty
- Headaches or lightheadedness
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Less frequent urination or decreased urine output
- Constipation
- Few or no tears when crying
Avoid alcohol use when participating in outdoor activities
Bug Safety
- Wear a hat and light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.
- Use insect repellents that provide protection for the amount of time you will be outdoors:
- Use repellents such as Permethrin for greater protection.
- Check your skin and clothes for ticks every day. The immature forms of these ticks are very small and may be hard to see.
- Wash and dry work clothes in a hot dryer to kill any ticks present.
- Learn the symptoms of tick-borne diseases.
- If you develop symptoms of a tick-borne disease seek medical attention promptly. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you work outdoors in an area where ticks may be present.
Common summer time questions in pregnancy:
- Insect repellent with DEET are considered the most effective type of bug spray and has been given the “ok” by the CDC to use during pregnancy. Other types of bug spray with ingredients that include picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol are also deemed safe by the CDC.
- While the American Pregnancy Association (APA) doesn’t have any hard and fast rules for activities like boating, use caution and avoid the jerky movements of activities such as jet skiing, water skiing, speed boats on choppy waters, whitewater rafting. Scuba diving is also not recommened during pregnancy. Something low-impact like canoeing should still be cleared with your doctor first, and since your center of balance might be off, you should wear a life jacket if you do decide to go. Regular swimming is considered a safe, low-impact pregnancy workout, and chlorinated swimming pools pose little risk to pregnant women. A pregnancy, you’ll want to be strict about only taking a dip in pools that are well-maintained. Swimming in lakes is considered safe as well, as long as your bag of water has not ruptured.
- Are amusement rides safe in pregnancy? Umm, that would be a big NO! The quick, jarring motions of rides, plus the pressure this puts on your body makes it unsafe in pregnancy. The rigorous and unpredictable activity can pose problems within your uterus and with the placenta.
MAY