Staying Out of the Heat

So, there's this heat advisory.  I've opted out of a couple of events this summer, because I just knew that would be exhausted and I couldn't stand to be outside in 100 degree heat for more than a few minutes.  Let's face it: I have trouble walking from the car to the grocery store when it's 95 degrees.  Even though I thought I was okay, we changed plans tonight from going to a sporting event to making dinner at home because of the heat and the risk that posed this pregnant lady.  This especially since it is still going to be 100 degrees at 7pm.  Lauren, a friend of mine and massage therapist, mentioned that the spa in which she works doesn't have air conditioning right now, and if it was still down this morning, she'd have to cancel two prenatal massage appointments because of the risk the heat would pose to pregnant clients.

When pregnant women are exposed to situations that raise the body temperature too much, especially in early pregnancy, it can put the baby at greater risk for birth defects.  This would include being out in the heat, in a hot car, hot tubs, steaming hot baths saunas, electric blankets, electric heating pads, etc.  From one article about pregnant women being more susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration:

"When a pregnant woman is exposed to extreme temperatures and begins exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, she runs the risk of harming her own health and that of her baby.  In the worst case, the mother may experience pre-term labor or even death,” says Dr. Terrie Thomas, Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Woman’s Hospital.

 According to livestrong.com:

If heat cramps go ignored, they may lead to heat exhaustion, a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and baby. Symptoms are similar to heat stroke: headache, dizziness, and a fast and weak pulse. The skin many times becomes pale and feels cool to the touch. Pregnant women should contact their doctor or midwife if contractions, serious cramps or vomiting are also present.

In the DC Urban Mom forum, there were many stories of women pregnant and/or families coming home from the hospital to no power.  No air conditioning.  A coworker of mine is 37 weeks pregnant and was without power for five days.  My birth coach and doula, Cortney, has a friend who had twins before the storm and came home to a house without power.  I cannot imagine having to finish growing a baby or bringing home a newborn while struggling to keep cool.  My thoughts are with those families in this hot, potentially dangerous time.