Over 90% of women sometime during their pregnancy will experience aches or pains in their backs and hips due the changes in the chemical make up of the ligaments which keep your spine and pelvis supported. As your body relaxes during pregnancy your skeleton becomes less supported and therefore aches and pains arise from minute movements in your skeleton that have not been possible before.
Though these aches and pains may only be considered minor, as we go into the winter months it is essential that you keep your pregnant body warm and comfortable so that these pains don’t turn into anything more serious. Cold in itself will cause your body’s nervous system to be more sensitive than ever before, and when you combine this with the tensing in the muscles which can occur when your body gets cold, making sure you stay warm and covered during pregnancy is essential.
As more blood works round your body during pregnancy more than ever before, you will find that your body temperature will become more varied than ever before. The increase in bloodflow leads to times of excessive heat but also can lead to excessive heat loss which means your maternity clothes need to be practical and versatile to make sure they can cope with rapid changes in your body temperature.
The back is the area which needs the most comfort during pregnancy and is at most risk of exposure as your pre pregnancy clothes ride up as your bump develops. If you are trying to stay in your pre pregnancy clothes for longer, opt for length in all types of tops and vests so that you can keep your back covered even as your tummy grows.
When choosing your maternity clothes, even in the middle of winter, opt for more thin, easy to remove layers rather than one single thick layer. Though you may feel like you need a really big thick jumper when you get out of bed in the morning, after only a quick short walk you may find yourself overheating with no opportunity to remove the offending item without exposing too much flesh.
When going outside, make sure you remember your extremities. Gloves and hats are a great way to get warm very quickly and are quick and easy to remove when you start to feel warm again. Opt for a good quality maternity coat that is going to incorporate your growing tummy and be able to do up even towards the end of your pregnancy. Avoid opting for a larger size in a regular coat as this will not only carry the risk that it will ride up too high and not keep your back warm, but it also runs the risk of swamping you and making you look much bigger than you really are.
And always remember your feet. As your pregnancy develops your feet will expand with the pressure of the increased fluid. Opt for shoes with a soft cushioning material and choose socks that have little or no elastic in the tops that can restrict blood flow and irritate you while you are trying to sleep.
Following these simple steps can keep you comfortable and warm during your pregnancy and ensure that you have the best possible chance of progressing through winter with as little discomfort as possible.
