Can pregnant women swim and sunbathe? Rest rules for expectant mothers

“My husband and I want to go on vacation to the sea, but I’m worried. The fact is that I am pregnant, and I read that women in my position are not recommended to swim and sunbathe. Is it so? And where should I relax this summer? Tamara, 28 years old

There is still a stereotype that says that expectant mothers should take care of themselves and avoid sunbathing and swimming. But it should be remembered that pregnancy is not a disease, and women during this period should do everything that will be useful for themselves and for the baby.

The first rule is moderation!

Nature is a faithful assistant for those who care about their health. The most important thing is to remember that any medicine is useful only when the dosage is observed. So, one tablet will be your assistant, but if you take the entire package at once, the consequences can be unpredictable.

The same can be said about relaxing in the summer sun and swimming. Even if you are not pregnant, you should not spend the whole day under the scorching rays. And expectant mothers should treat their rest regime with even greater attention.

However, there is nothing complicated about it. And by following the rules mentioned in this article, you can have a pleasant and productive holiday.

Can pregnant women fly on an airplane?

Airlines consider the optimal time for flights to be between 14 and 27 weeks. But after 36 weeks, flights are not recommended due to the risk of premature birth in an unequipped place. Otherwise, there are no strict contraindications to flying, although traveling by plane in the first trimester can aggravate the symptoms of toxicosis.

Feel free to plan visits to relatives and friends, vacations for the New Year (or other) holidays, get-togethers with intimate conversations over a cup of mint tea, your favorite color for healthy hair in photographs and remember that health and beauty do not always require sacrifice!

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISING. THE MATERIAL WAS PREPARED WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF EXPERTS.

Tanning is not the enemy of pregnant women

Sunbathing is an excellent way to strengthen the body. Heliotherapy (that is, sun treatment) is the key to a good mood, which is important for the expectant mother and her baby.

But the sun's rays also have other benefits. For example, they help speed up metabolism, increase immunity, and improve the functioning of internal organs and glands.

Sunbathing also increases the production of vitamin D3. It is he who is responsible for the body’s absorption of calcium, which is necessary for pregnant women. Some of the most common problems that expectant mothers face are hair loss, splitting nails and, of course, dental problems.

It is for this reason that the doctor prescribes calcium-containing medications for pregnant women, and sunbathing will be an excellent help in taking them. And that’s not all: vitamin D3 is the key to ensuring that the child does not develop rickets, and that the bones of his skeleton are formed properly. Therefore, go out into the sun!

How to take care of yourself during pregnancy

Can pregnant women paint their nails?

Yes, pregnant women can paint their nails! It is better to choose strengthening and maximally safe varnishes. Aggressive varnishes worsen the condition of the nail plate, which during pregnancy can become more fragile and thinner in itself.

In addition, it is not recommended to inhale the smell of nail polish or nail polish remover for a long time if it contains acetone. Therefore, do not forget to ventilate the room after a manicure or entrust your nail care to a specialist in the salon.

Can pregnant women dye their hair?

Hair coloring during pregnancy is a safe procedure. Although after the fifth month it is advisable that the coloring be done by another person (hairdresser, husband, girlfriend).

It is important to consider that hair changes during pregnancy, so a familiar dye can give an unexpected result. Changed hair can also react unpredictably to a perm. Hair changes its properties due to a lack of folic acid, biotin and iron, which are consumed when bearing a child. In order to keep your hair healthy, during pregnancy it is worth taking vitamin complexes to replenish the lack of vitamins.

Vitamin complex Pregnoton Mama contains folic acid, biotin, liposomal iron and vitamin B3, which help prevent hair loss and flaking of the skin, maintaining the health and blooming appearance of the expectant mother during pregnancy.

Can pregnant women get eyelash extensions?

You can extend eyelashes. You just need to take into account that extensions involve lying down for a long time without changing position.

Can pregnant women take a bath and go to the sauna?

If you carefully monitor the temperature and avoid overheating, you can take a bath. The sauna involves overheating, so it is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in the second and third trimester you should use the sauna with caution. However, if a woman tolerated the bath normally before pregnancy, she can visit it, monitoring the temperature, duration of the visit, and her own well-being.

Can a pregnant woman have a massage?

Pregnant women can have a massage. It is important that in the first trimester the massage should be gentle, without strong influences. Throughout pregnancy, massage should not affect the abdomen.

How to sunbathe correctly and profitably during pregnancy

The body of a pregnant woman is exposed to sunlight much more than during other periods. The fact is that hormonal levels change, and this factor enhances the formation of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin a beautiful tan. Instead, the expectant mother may develop pigment spots on open areas of the skin.

However, this is by no means the most terrible consequence of prolonged exposure to the sun. Much worse is overheating. The fetus has not yet developed the mechanisms of thermoregulation, and therefore the mother’s passion for sunbathing can cause problems in the functioning of the nervous system and brain of the unborn child. To prevent this from happening, you must follow a number of recommendations.

Tanning rules for pregnant women

Forget the solarium. Your friend is the sun.
Direct sunlight is dangerous for pregnant women. On the beach it is better to hide under an umbrella; in nature, sit in the shade of trees. Don't worry about tanning: to get a beautiful chocolate skin tone, you don't have to fry in the sun.
The best time for sunbathing is in the morning, before 11 o'clock, and in the evening, after 15 o'clock. During the day, when the sun is most active, it is better to stay indoors.
If the temperature rises above 30 degrees, it is recommended to avoid going to the beach. On such days, sunbathing can be taken during leisurely walks.
On the beach, sit on a sun lounger: the pebbles and sand warm up to 60 degrees and above, which threatens overheating. In addition, a lounge chair allows you to keep your head elevated, which is beneficial.
Choose the right clothes: they should be spacious and breathable. Don’t forget about a hat (a wide-brimmed hat is best, because you need to hide your face from the rays and avoid age spots) and sunglasses, and chapstick will save your lips from drying out. And, of course, don't go out in the sun without applying sunscreen.
Drink plenty - at least 2-3 liters per day. Make sure you always have water with you (not sweet and carbonated drinks, but plain water). This way you will avoid dehydration.

We all want to be beautiful, but expectant mothers should not forget: sunbathing for them is not a means to achieve a chocolate skin tone, but a procedure useful for an unborn child. This means you need to sunbathe correctly and not for too long.

Sex and taboo

Only very serious medical indications can veto your sex life during this period.

For example, if there is a threat of miscarriage (especially in the first trimester), if you are expecting twins (multiple pregnancies are usually more difficult than singleton pregnancies), you have had a miscarriage or premature birth, a previous pregnancy was accompanied by a threat of miscarriage, or tests revealed some kind of miscarriage. or infection. In addition, the doctor may prescribe temporary abstinence for you if the cervix is not tightly closed, complete (the placenta completely covers the internal os) or marginal placenta previa (the lower edge of the placenta is at the level of the edge of the internal os). If placenta previa is detected, regular medical supervision is necessary, as there is a risk of placental abruption and uterine bleeding. Also, depending on the location of the placenta, the method of delivery will be determined. Thus, with marginal or lateral presentation, the possibility of natural childbirth is not excluded, and with complete presentation, a cesarean section is prescribed.

If the pregnancy proceeds without complications and you feel great, there are no contraindications for making love. Moreover, sex at this point in life is very important! It allows spouses to experience completely new sensations, promotes even greater emotional rapprochement between the couple, and has a beneficial effect on the woman’s nervous system, which is very important for the normal development of the child. Of course, during such a period, one should not forget about caution: still choose less daring positions than before, or try alternative forms of intimacy.

But in the last weeks before childbirth, sex is even indicated for therapeutic purposes: prostaglandins contained in sperm prepare the cervix for childbirth and help avoid ruptures.

Pregnant women and water: can you swim?

Swimming is a great sport. It trains all types of muscles (including abdominal muscles, which will help during childbirth) and breathing, relieves fatigue and swelling. In the water, the expectant mother will again be able to feel lightness throughout her body.

But don’t rush into the first body of water you come across. First make sure it is clean. Experts do not recommend swimming in stagnant water, that is, in ponds and lakes. The immune system of expectant mothers is weakened, and therefore various infections caused by microorganisms from these bodies of water are most destructive for pregnant women. But visiting the pool will be completely safe.

You should not swim if the water temperature does not exceed 20 degrees. Hypothermia is no less dangerous than overheating.

You should not swim for a long time. As soon as you feel the first signs of fatigue, go ashore and take a break. Try not to swim far, because the likelihood of cramps during pregnancy increases significantly.

Warm up before entering the water. Rub your feet and calves, straighten and bend your legs, stand on your toes. This way you will avoid cramps.

It is useful not only to swim, but also to do simple physical exercises in the water: turns, bends, raising and lowering your arms and legs. But you should forget about diving and diving for a while.

And most importantly: ultraviolet rays affect you even in water. Therefore, add up the time spent on the beach and the time you spend swimming, so as not to stay in the sun for too long.

Recommendation 3: Avoid long flights

Perhaps in the first trimester of pregnancy you will want to go on vacation to distant countries. For example, to Cuba, Sri Lanka, Tanzania. Vacations in exotic countries are of course good, but your health and the safety of your unborn baby should come first!

During a flight, there is a very large pressure drop, and how your body will bear this load is anyone’s guess. It is likely that everything will go fine, but some problems are possible:

exacerbation of toxicosis;
frequent urge to urinate;
increased fatigue;
problems with the digestive system;
dizziness.

In addition, during a long flight you will be constantly sitting. And prolonged sitting can lead to lymphostasis - swelling of the soft tissues. In this regard, it is quite reasonable to replace long flights with shorter travel routes.

Before your flight, be sure to go to an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist, who will assess your condition and accurately answer the question: can you fly or not. If you have certain health problems, flying is contraindicated for pregnant women. For example, air travel is prohibited if you have severe anemia.

When going on holiday abroad, do not forget that in many countries in Europe and Asia there is a risk of contracting measles and rubella. And if you did not have measles or rubella as a child or did not complete the full course of vaccination against them, then if you become infected, you will face serious troubles. For example, infection with rubella in the first trimester increases the risk of miscarriage by 4 times.

Sea, sea... Is it possible for pregnant women to go there?

Not only is it possible, but it is necessary! Sea water contains a lot of microelements and salts that strengthen and tone the body.

What should you pay attention to during a boat trip?

Abrupt climate change is your enemy. It is best to choose places with a mild maritime climate. In Russia, a great option could be a vacation in the Kaliningrad region on the Baltic Sea or on the Black Sea at the beginning or at the end of the holiday season.
You should not relax on popular crowded beaches. The weakened immunity of pregnant women requires privacy, not crowds.
Often the seabed is rocky, and even more dangerous are corals that can cut your feet. Take special rubber slippers with you that will protect your feet from wounds.
It is also necessary to protect yourself from possible genital infections. Gels and creams for intimate hygiene will help you with this.

The sea is good not only for the body, but also for the soul (or, if you like, the psyche). Contemplating the surf calms you down and sets you up for positive thoughts - what else does a pregnant woman need?..

Adventurers

There is an opinion that air travel and sudden climate change do not have the best effect on pregnancy. Indeed, after the seventh month of pregnancy, it is not recommended to fly on an airplane - the threat of premature birth is strong. As for flights in general, everything is very individual - much depends on the course of pregnancy and the woman’s health. If the mother does not complain about anything and everything is fine with her unborn baby, then there are no special contraindications for travel. If a pregnant woman has a weakened body, suffers from high blood pressure, or has a high risk of miscarriage, then in this case it is better to avoid traveling by air.

As for visiting exotic corners of the world or places where it is too hot, we must remember that when entering many Asian, African and Latin American countries, it is necessary to be vaccinated against a number of infections, and this is a very big threat to the unborn baby. It is also not known how your body will react to sudden climate change and high temperatures, so doctors recommend refraining from such extremes and choosing more traditional tourism. But no matter how you feel, before you go traveling, you must definitely visit the gynecologist leading your pregnancy.

Every pregnancy is individual

And finally, we’ll tell you where to start. More precisely, what you need to do first when planning a vacation. Of course, we are talking about going to the doctor.

Only a specialist, having weighed all the pros and cons, will tell you whether you can sunbathe and swim, whether you should go to the sea, and if so, what type of transport.

SMC Best Clinic doctors will responsibly give recommendations on how a pregnant woman should structure her vacation. Follow their advice, follow the rules of staying in the sun and in the water, and then your summer holiday will become not only enjoyable, but also useful and safe.

Recommendation 1: stop taking medications

The most important rule for women in the first trimester of pregnancy is to avoid taking medications. The medications you took before pregnancy cannot be used in the first trimester of gestation.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the formation of fetal organs occurs, and any drug can negatively affect this process. Therefore, before you swallow a tablet, powder or syrup, think carefully and be sure to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist. If you have any chronic disease that requires medication, you should also consult a specialist.

Recommendation 5: Do not wear tight clothes and shoes

In the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman's silhouette changes slightly. Because of this, many pregnant women continue to wear tight-fitting clothes to highlight their figure. However, even in the early stages of pregnancy, it is better to choose loose clothing that does not compress soft tissues, the abdominal area, and mammary glands. Wearing tight clothes can impair blood circulation, lead to lymph stagnation, cause fatigue, and increase the unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis.

What kind of shoes should pregnant women wear? Choose comfortable shoes with solid soles. During pregnancy, the center of gravity gradually changes, and when wearing shoes with heels, the load on the lumbosacral region increases.

If we talk about the cold season, it is better to replace shoes and boots that are very tight on the calf muscles or feet with looser shoes. As with clothing, this will help avoid poor circulation and lymph stagnation.

About the diet

Pregnant women need to strictly limit their diet. Is it really?

An important rule that applies to the diet of expectant mothers at all stages is: avoid undereating and overeating. The body must receive a sufficient amount of macro and micronutrients. Try to adhere to the principles of a healthy diet - look at the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

But there are no special diets for pregnant women. But there are subtleties that pregnant women need to consider when planning their diet:

Meat, fish and poultry dishes must be fully cooked, eggs must be hard-boiled.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products - they may contain dangerous bacteria.
The best way to quench your thirst is clean water. By the way, drinking enough water helps prevent edema, which sometimes bothers pregnant women. Your doctor will help you determine your water level.
It is better to avoid a cup of Americano, cappuccino and latte: for example, scientists from China in a 2021 study concluded that exposure to caffeine causes intrauterine growth retardation and increases the risk of fatty liver hepatosis in the offspring of experimental rats. Experts add that observations of people have not been carried out, but urge pregnant women to abstain from coffee.
Avoid alcohol: even a glass of champagne on New Year's Eve or on the occasion of an important holiday. Scientists have not yet determined how much alcohol is acceptable for a pregnant woman and does not pose a risk to the fetus. It is known for sure that all alcohol passes through the placenta to the child - draw your own conclusions.

Drinking alcohol during the first trimester increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight of the baby.

Recommendation 8: Accept your pregnancy and your new role as “I am a mother”

In the first trimester of pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the female body, which affects the functioning of the nervous system. In this regard, a pregnant woman may experience conditions and emotions such as tearfulness, anxiety, and excessive sensitivity. And some pregnant women even feel guilty before others for their whims over trifles, frequent emotional breakdowns.

Feelings of guilt are a negative attitude that must be gotten rid of. After all, such an emotion will cause you psychological discomfort.

Irritability in the early stages of pregnancy is nothing more than an attempt by the female psyche to fully realize and accept the fact of motherhood. And the sooner you accept your pregnancy and your new role as a mother, the sooner your calmness, good mood will return, and you will stop feeling guilty before others.

About flights

You are not allowed to fly on an airplane during the first trimester. What about this?

Flights cannot harm a healthy pregnancy at any stage: scientists have no evidence that passenger air travel leads to premature birth or other complications. But try not to fly when your baby is due any day now - giving birth at an altitude of 10,000 meters probably won't seem like a good idea to you or your crew.

Flights lasting more than 4 hours increase the risk of thrombosis, but it is very small. You can consult with your doctor if you have a long flight ahead: perhaps he will help you choose the right compression garments and give recommendations for a comfortable trip.